Translation guide
How to express 'cut open' in Japanese, covering surgical incisions, cutting open objects, and figurative uses.
To cut open a body for medical purposes, such as surgery or dissection.
The standard medical term for making an incision or cutting open surgically.
医師が患者の腹部を切開した。
The doctor cut open the patient's abdomen.
Can be used for cutting open in a broader sense, including surgery, but also for pioneering or clearing land.
外科医が胸を切り開いた。
The surgeon cut open the chest.
To cut something open in order to access its contents or interior.
A natural compound verb meaning 'cut and open'. Used for boxes, packages, envelopes, etc.
段ボールを切って開けた。
I cut open the cardboard box.
To cut open by tearing or slashing, often with force. Used for fabric, skin, or violently opening something.
彼は封筒を切り裂いた。
He cut open the envelope.
Can also be used for cutting open objects like cans or fruits, but more commonly used for clearing land or pioneering.
To cut open a living being in a violent or non-medical context.
Implies slashing or cutting open violently, often used in crime or horror contexts.
犯人は被害者の腹を切り裂いた。
The criminal cut open the victim's stomach.
Can be used for violent cutting open, but less common than 切り裂く in this context.
To metaphorically cut open something to reveal hidden contents, such as secrets or emotions.
Used figuratively to mean 'open up' or 'reveal', as in cutting open a new path or exposing hidden truths.
彼は心を切り開いて話した。
He cut open his heart and spoke.
Can be used metaphorically for violently exposing something, like cutting open a secret.
缶詰を切り開く。
Cut open a can.
獣が獲物の腹を切り開いた。
The beast cut open its prey's belly.
真実が闇を切り裂いた。
The truth cut open the darkness.