Translation guide
How to express the act of breaking something off, or something breaking off, in Japanese. Covers physical separation, ending relationships, and stopping activities.
To snap, tear, or cut a part away from a larger whole.
To break something long and rigid, like a stick or a branch, by snapping it.
枝を折る
break off a branch
To twist or wrench something off, like fruit from a stem or a handle from a door.
break off an apple (from the tree)
To cut off and separate; used for cutting a piece away from a larger object.
break off the excess part
When a part separates naturally or accidentally from the main body.
Intransitive; for something long and rigid snapping off, like a tree branch or a tooth.
The branch broke off.
To come off; used when a part detaches, like a button or a handle.
To be torn or wrenched off; often used for body parts or attached objects being violently separated.
To break off a romantic relationship, engagement, or formal agreement.
To break up, split up, or part ways; the most common term for ending a romantic relationship.
I broke off with my boyfriend.
To break off an engagement; a formal expression.
He broke off the engagement.
To sever ties; a strong expression for completely cutting off a relationship, not just romantic.
To suddenly stop doing something, like talking, working, or negotiating.
To interrupt or suspend; used for breaking off a conversation, meeting, or task temporarily.
We broke off the meeting.
To terminate or discontinue; implies a more permanent stop, like breaking off negotiations or a project.
To break off in the middle of saying something; to stop short.
He broke off in mid-sentence.
English 'break off' covers many distinct actions. Using a single Japanese verb like 折る for all situations will sound unnatural. Choose the verb that matches the specific action or context.
A button broke off.
The doll's arm broke off.
家族と縁を切った
I broke off ties with my family.
交渉を打ち切った
They broke off negotiations.