断つ

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 断つ (たつ) is a transitive verb meaning to sever or cut off an ongoing habit, connection, or route.
• Basic usage: It applies both to deliberately breaking a bad habit and to snow physically cutting a route.
  • 悪い習慣を断つため、生活の時間割を見直しました。 — I reviewed my schedule to break a bad habit.
  • 大雪が村と外部を結ぶ道を断ちました。 — Heavy snow cut off the road connecting the village to the outside.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Stopping and severing
  • 止める stops an action, while 断つ emphasizes severing a continuing relationship or flow. 断ち is the connective form.