切る

JLPT Level: N3

Meanings

finish completely

do something to the end

see through to the end

finish off thoroughly

Usage

V-ます-stem + 切る

V-る + 切る (e.g., 食べ切る, 読み切る)

Noun + 切る (less common; used in 固定表現)

Explanation

切る is used to express doing something to its completion, persistence, or to the very end. It emphasizes finishing thoroughly or definitively, often after effort or challenge. The most common construction is to attach 切る to the stem of a verb (the ます-stem) to form verbs like 食べ切る, 読み切る, and やり切る. This conveys a sense of not stopping short, completing the action completely. It can carry a positive nuance, showing determination or perseverance, but it can also be used neutrally for factual completion.

彼は難しい課題を最後までやり切った。

かれはむずかしいかだいをさいごまでやりきった。

He finished the difficult assignment until the end.

このスープを全部食べ切ってください。

このスープをぜんぶたべきってください。

Please eat all of this soup.

彼女はその本を一日で読み切った。

かのじょはそのほんをいちにちでよみきった。

She finished reading the book in one day.

疲れていても、彼は最後まで走り切った。

つかれていても、かれはさいごまではしりきった。

Even though he was tired, he ran to the very end.