途切れる

• Reading: とぎれる
• Romaji: togireru
• Kanji breakdown: 途 (to) — way, route, midway; 切 (ki/setsu) — to cut
• Pronunciation: /to.ɡi.ɾe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To break off; to be interrupted; to come to an end; to be cut short or paused.

A Group 2 (ichidan) intransitive verb. Describes something continuous that stops abruptly or intermittently — conversation, rain, a signal, or a supply. Often used with particles が or て.

Examples

1. 電話の途中で通話が途切れてしまった。 The call got cut off in the middle of our conversation.
2. 雨が途切れた隙に買い物に出かけた。 I went out shopping during a break in the rain.
3. 会話が途切れて、気まずい沈黙が続いた。 The conversation broke off and an awkward silence followed.

Usage Guide

Context: communication, weather, daily life

Tone: descriptive

Origin & History

Compound of 途 (way/route) and 切れる (to be cut). The image is of a path or flow being severed midway.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal