切
cut · cutoff · be sharp
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
七 + sword
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of seven and sword. Cutting into seven with sword.
Symbolism
Cut, earnest, kindness. Represents sharpness and urgency.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一切衆生
いっさいしゅじょう
all living creatures; 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); being enraged (indignant, impatient)
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); diligent application (to work or study)
一切合切
いっさいがっさい
any and every thing; altogether; lock, stock, and barrel; any and every thing
懇切丁寧
こんせつていねい
kind, careful, and thorough (of an explanation, advice, etc.); thoughtful and scrupulous; kind, careful, and thorough (of an explanation, advice, etc.)
老婆心切
ろうばしんせつ
grandmotherly solicitude for another's welfare; excessive solicitude; grandmotherly solicitude for another's welfare
丁寧懇切
ていねいこんせつ
kind, careful, and thorough (of an explanation, advice, etc.); thoughtful and scrupulous; kind, careful, and thorough (of an explanation, advice, etc.)
一切皆空
いっさいかいくう
matter is void; all is vanity; matter is void
Proverbs & Idioms
切羽詰まる
せっぱつまる
To be hard-pressed
To be cornered with no way out
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?
Yes. 切 (cut, cutoff, be sharp) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for cut