Japanese grammar
What does ～切る／～切れる mean? Japanese grammar N2
～切る／～切れる means do (something) completely, to the very end.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vます形（drop ます）+ 切る Vます形 + 切れる／切れない |
| Romaji | kiru／kireru |
| Meaning | do (something) completely, to the very end |
Forming it
| Using up | 使う → 使い切る |
|---|---|
| Potential | 食べる → 食べ切れない |
| To the end | 走る → 走り切る |
How to use it
Does something COMPLETELY, to the end, with nothing left over. Attaches to the masu stem; the potential form is 「切れる」.
- 「V切る」 = to finish doing completely: 「お金を使い切った」「マラソンを走り切った」「本を読み切る」.
- Also carries the meaning of being DEFINITIVE: 「彼はやっていないと言い切った」 (he stated flatly that he didn't do it).
- The verbs it can combine with are limited, and must be actions WITH AN ENDPOINT: 使う・食べる・読む・走る・売る. 「がんばり切る」「終わり切る」 sound unnatural.
Examples
今月はお金を使い切ってしまった。
I used up all my money this month.
苦しかったが、最後まで走り切った。
It was tough, but I ran all the way to the end.
Keep in mind
- Attaches to the masu stem.
- The verb must be an action with a clear endpoint.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongこの仕事を終わり切るまで帰らない。
I won't go home until I've finished this job completely.
Correctこの仕事をやり切るまで帰らない。
「終わる」 already means finishing by itself, so it doesn't combine with 「切る」; use 「やり切る」.
-
Wrong料理を食べ切るができなかった。
I couldn't finish eating the food.
Correct料理を食べ切れなかった。
The negative potential form is 「切れない」.
Exam tips
- 「V切る」 = to do completely/to the end; the potential form is 「切れる／切れない」.