judge · cut

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading of 裁 is さい, and its kun readings are たつ and さばく. It has 12 strokes and relates to judging or cutting something to shape.
• Basic usage: 裁く is read さばく, and 裁断 is read さいだん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 裁く and 裁断
  • 裁く means judge or try.
  • 裁判官は証拠に基づいて事件を裁いた。 means “The judge tried the case based on the evidence.”
  • 裁断 means cutting or cutting to shape.
  • 型紙に合わせて布を裁断する。 means “We cut the cloth according to the pattern.”