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THE KANJI THAT CUTS
切
Because of their frequency, the SETSU, ki(ru) and kire(ru) readings of this kanji quickly become burned into your memory. Examples include the high-frequency “setsu” adjectives, with have nothing to do with cutting, but nonetheless use “the kanji that cuts.”
- 切る （きる） to cut
- 頭が切れる （あたま が きれる） to be clever
- 品切れ （しなぎれ） out of stock
- 切削 （せっさく） cutting
The “setsu” adjectives:
- 大切 （たいせつ） important
- 適切 （てきせつ） appropriate
- 親切 （しんせつ） kind; friendly
Now that you are reasonably well acquainted with this kanji, let me introduce you to its mischievous side. There is an secondary on reading—SAI. The only high frequency word where the SAI reading is used is issai:
一切 （いっさい） all; everything
Are we done with 切 yet? Not quite. This kanji also has the annoying habit of appearing as a kun reading when you would be expecting an on reading. Luckily, there are only a few common examples to learn here:
- 切符 （きっぷ） ticket
- 小切手 （こぎって） check
- 切手 （きって） postage stamp