Translation guide
How to express 'chop off' in Japanese, covering cutting off parts of objects, severing body parts, and figurative removal.
To sever or remove a part of an object, like a branch or a piece of wood, using a chopping motion.
General verb for cutting something off, often with a single decisive action. Works for branches, pieces of food, etc.
I chopped off the branch.
Please chop off the end of the daikon.
Implies cutting off completely and decisively, often with a sense of severing ties or breaking continuity. Can be used for physical cutting.
I chopped off the rope.
To cut off and separate something from the main body. Emphasizes detachment.
I chopped off the fatty part of the meat.
To chop off a limb, finger, head, etc., often violently or in a medical context.
The most common verb for severing a body part. Can be used in both violent and surgical contexts.
I accidentally chopped off my finger in an accident.
Formal/medical term for amputation or severing. Used in clinical contexts.
Colloquial and somewhat crude term for chopping or snipping off, often used for fingers or small parts. Can sound violent or humorous.
To eliminate or cut out something non-physical, like a part of a text, a budget, or a relationship.
To delete or remove text, data, or content. Not literally 'chop', but used when cutting out parts of a document.
I chopped off the unnecessary paragraphs.
To cut off and discard, often used figuratively for abandoning people, ideas, or budget items. Has a harsh nuance.
To cut off decisively and drastically, like slashing a budget or making a bold edit. Adverb ばっさり adds a sense of boldness.
The budget was chopped off drastically.
To cut off a significant amount of hair, often in one go.
Can be used for chopping off hair, especially when cutting a large chunk or ponytail.
I chopped off my long hair.
Formal term for cutting hair, often used in contexts like a ceremonial hair-cutting or a drastic change.
I chopped off my hair for a fresh start.
The English word 'chop' is sometimes borrowed as チョップ (choppu) in Japanese, but it mainly refers to a karate chop or a pork chop. Do not use チョップする to mean 'chop off'.
He karate-chopped the board. (Not 'chopped off')
The surgeon chopped off the necrotic leg.
They had to chop off his toes due to frostbite.
指をちょん切られた。
My finger got chopped off.
The company chopped off the unprofitable division.