Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the idea of being cut off in Japanese, including physical separation, interruption of supply or communication, and social isolation.
To be physically separated from a place, group, or person, often by natural forces or circumstances.
Means to be isolated or cut off from others, often used for people or communities.
The village was cut off by heavy snow.
Used when something is physically blocked or cut off, like a road or path.
The road was cut off by a landslide.
Means to be left behind or stranded, often implying being cut off from help or escape.
I was cut off in my house by the flood.
To have a supply of something like electricity, water, or gas stopped or disconnected.
General term for being stopped or cut off, often used for utilities.
My electricity was cut off.
Focuses on the supply itself stopping, often due to external factors.
The gas supply was cut off due to the earthquake.
Specifically means water supply cut off, often used in notices.
To have a phone call, internet connection, or other communication suddenly ended or interrupted.
Common verb for a call or connection being cut off or dropped.
The call got cut off.
More formal, used for complete loss of communication, like in disasters.
Communication was cut off due to the typhoon.
Technical term for a line being disconnected, often used in IT contexts.
The line has been cut off.
To be excluded from a group, relationship, or social circle, or to feel emotionally detached.
Means to be left out or ostracized from a group.
He was cut off by his friends.
Stronger term for being disowned or having ties severed, often in family or close relationships.
I was cut off by my parents.
Expresses the feeling of being cut off or isolated emotionally.
The English phrase 'be cut off' covers many situations. In Japanese, different verbs and expressions are used depending on what is being cut off (physical path, utility, communication, social ties). Using a single direct translation like 切られる for all cases often sounds unnatural.
切れる (intransitive) means something cuts off by itself (e.g., a call drops). 切られる (passive of 切る) means something is deliberately cut off by someone (e.g., the phone is hung up on you). Choose based on whether an agent is implied.
明日は断水します。
Water will be cut off tomorrow.
I feel cut off at my new workplace.