切る（きる）

切る（きる） means do completely to the end. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to show that an action is finished completely or with full effort.

This grammar point often appears in neutral Japanese. If you want to show that an action is finished completely or with full effort, 切る（きる） is a useful pattern to learn.

What does 切る（きる） mean?

Use 切る（きる） when you want to show that an action is finished completely or with full effort.

Natural translations include:

• do completely to the end
• do completely to the end
• do completely to the end

How to form 切る（きる）

Verbます-stem + 切る

Examples of the pattern:

• 食べ切る
• 走り切る
• 言い切る

When is 切る（きる） used?

Use 切る（きる） in situations like:

• finishing food or tasks
• completing a challenge
• speaking with confidence

Tone and register:

• neutral
• Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

切る（きる） example sentences

• 彼は大きなピザを一人で食べ切った。 — He finished a whole large pizza by himself.
• 最後まで走り切ることが大切だ。 — It is important to run all the way to the end.
• この仕事を今日中にやり切りたい。 — I want to finish this work completely today.
• 彼女は自分が正しいと言い切った。 — She declared firmly that she was right.
• 疲れていたが、試験を受け切った。 — I was tired, but I completed the exam.

Nuance of 切る（きる）

The key nuance is completion, decisiveness, or doing something all the way.

This matters because 切る（きる） does more than translate one English phrase. It tells the reader how the speaker is framing the situation, whether as emphasis, contrast, obligation, approximation, or evidence.

For example:

• In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
• Compared with 終わる, it has a different focus and level of formality.

切る（きる） vs 終わる

Both 切る（きる） and 終わる can appear in related situations, but they are different.

切る（きる）:

• means do completely to the end
• fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

終わる:

• 終わる says something ends; 切る stresses completing it fully or pushing through

Quick contrast examples:

• Target: 彼は大きなピザを一人で食べ切った。 — He finished a whole large pizza by himself.
• Compare: Try replacing it with 終わる and check whether the nuance still matches.

Common mistakes with 切る（きる）

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using dictionary form before 切る
• Using it for accidental endings with no sense of completion
• Confusing it with the basic verb 切る “to cut”

Is 切る（きる） on the JLPT?

Yes. 切る（きる） is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for 切る（きる）

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Say you finished reading a book.
• Say you ran to the end.
• Say someone stated something decisively.

Learning path for 切る（きる）

To learn 切る（きる） efficiently, review verb-stem compounds first, then notice whether the pattern stresses completion, excess, continuation, or a result.

1. First, make sure you can form 切る（きる） without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）, 切れない（きれない）. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences about finishing projects, using something up, or actions continuing; then check whether replacing 切る（きる） with 直す（なおす） changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる） — because it is another compound or result-focused pattern for actions.
• 切れない（きれない） — because it is another compound or result-focused pattern for actions.
• 直す（なおす） — because it is another compound or result-focused pattern for actions.
• 込む（こむ） — because it is another compound or result-focused pattern for actions.

Learn 切る（きる） with Hane

If you want to review 切る（きる） together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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