cut

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 切 has four strokes and uses the kun-readings きる and きれる and the on-reading せつ.
• Basic usage: It describes cutting objects or disconnecting power, and also appears in words expressing importance.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Cutting and cutting well
  • 切る(きる) describes cutting an apple or turning off the power. 切れる(きれる) can describe a cord snapping.
  • For a kitchen knife, よく切れる means that it cuts well, rather than that the knife itself has snapped.
• The meaning of importance
  • 大切(たいせつ) means precious or important. Learn it as a separate word meaning from the cutting action of 切る.