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切

切 — cut, cutoff, be sharp

Learn the correct stroke order for 切 (cut), a 4-stroke kanji.

JLPT N4Grade 24 strokes

Stroke Order

1234
Stroke 0 / 4
On'yomi (音読み)セツsetsu、サイsai
Kun'yomi (訓読み)き.るkiru、-き.るkiru、き.りkiri、-き.りkiri、-ぎ.りgiri、き.れるkireru、-き.れるkireru、き.れkire、-き.れkire、-ぎ.れgire
Strokes4
Radical刀
Frequency#324
Meaningscut, cutoff, be sharp

Step-by-Step Diagram

1
2
3
4

Try Writing It

Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.

Draw stroke 1 of 4 — start from the green dot

Common Words

一切いっさいall; everything; entiretynoun
懇切こんせつkind and careful (instruction, explanation, etc.); considerate; helpfulna-adjective
親切しんせつkind; gentle; consideratena-adjective
切りきりend; finish; place to stopnoun
切るきるto cut; to cut through; to perform (surgery)verb
切れきれpiece; slice; stripnoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 切 (cut) is taught in grade 2 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N4 level. It has 4 strokes with radical 刀.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 切 is #324, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

一切いっさい — all; everything; entirety
懇切こんせつ — kind and careful (instruction, explanation, etc.); considerate; helpful
親切しんせつ — kind; gentle; considerate

Practice Sheet

Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.

Related Kanji

Same radical (刀)

刀sword刃blade分part刈reap刊publish刑punish列file初first time

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 切 have?

The kanji 切 (cut) has 4 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 切?

切 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.

What does 切 mean?

切 means: cut, cutoff, be sharp. On'yomi readings: セツ, サイ. Kun'yomi readings: き.る, -き.る, き.り, -き.り, -ぎ.り, き.れる, -き.れる, き.れ, -き.れ, -ぎ.れ.

What JLPT level is 切?

切 is a JLPT N4 kanji. This is a beginner-level kanji.