切
cut · cutoff · be sharp
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of seven and sword. Cutting into seven with sword.
Symbolism
Cut, earnest, kindness. Represents sharpness and urgency.
Component Breakdown
七 + sword
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一切衆生
いっさいしゅじょう
all living creatures
切歯扼腕
せっしやくわん
being enraged (indignant, impatient); gnashing the teeth and clenching the arms on the breast (in anger or regret)
切磋琢磨
せっさたくま
diligent application (to work or study); cultivating one's character by studying hard; mutual encouragement (to improve)
一切合切
いっさいがっさい
any and every thing; altogether; lock, stock, and barrel
懇切丁寧
こんせつていねい
kind, careful, and thorough (of an explanation, advice, etc.); thoughtful and scrupulous
老婆心切
ろうばしんせつ
grandmotherly solicitude for another's welfare; excessive solicitude
丁寧懇切
ていねいこんせつ
kind, careful, and thorough (of an explanation, advice, etc.); thoughtful and scrupulous
一切皆空
いっさいかいくう
matter is void; all is vanity
Proverbs & Idioms
切羽詰まる
せっぱつまる
To be hard-pressed
To be cornered with no way out
Anime & Manga
ポンコツ風紀委員とスカート丈が不適切なJKの話
The Klutzy Class Monitor and the Girl with the Short Skirt
A well-known work with 切 in its Japanese title.
DEATH NOTE 特別読切
Death Note: a-Kira
A well-known work with 切 in its Japanese title.
僕と君の大切な話
Our Precious Conversations
A well-known work with 切 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 切 mean in Japanese?
切 means cut, cutoff, be sharp.
How do you read 切?
On'yomi: セツ、サイ (SETSU, SAI). Kun'yomi: き.る、-き.る、き.り、-き.り、-ぎ.り、き.れる、-き.れる、き.れ、-き.れ、-ぎ.れ (kiru, kiru, kiri, kiri, giri, kireru, kireru, kire, kire, gire).
How many strokes does 切 have?
切 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 刀 (knife).
Is 切 a good kanji for a tattoo?
切 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means cut, cutoff, be sharp. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:cut