切れる

• Reading: きれる
• Romaji: kireru
• Kanji breakdown: 切 (ki/setsu) — cut, sever
• Pronunciation: /ki.ɾe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To cut well; to be sharp; to break off; to expire. Something coming apart or reaching its limit.

A Group 2 (ichidan) intransitive verb with many meanings: a knife cuts well (よく切れる), a rope snaps (ロープが切れる), a subscription expires (期限が切れる), patience runs out (我慢が切れる), and supplies are used up (在庫が切れる). The transitive counterpart is 切る. Extremely versatile and common in daily life.

Examples

1. このナイフはよく切れるから気をつけて。 This knife is really sharp, so be careful.
2. パスポートの期限が切れてしまった。 My passport has expired.
3. 電話が途中で切れてしまった。 The phone call got cut off in the middle.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, tools, expiration

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Intransitive form of 切る (kiru, to cut). From Old Japanese, the kanji 切 depicts a knife (刀) against something (七), representing the act of severing.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal