Translation guide
How to express 'cut through' in Japanese, covering physical cutting, moving through a space, and figurative senses like penetrating complexity or noise.
To slice or sever an object, often with a tool.
To cut out or cut through something like paper or cloth, often implying cutting a shape or hole.
紙を丸く切り抜いた。
I cut a circle out of the paper.
To cut through or sever, often used for wires, ropes, or in technical contexts.
ワイヤーを切断した。
I cut through the wire.
To cut through violently, tear or slash open. More dramatic.
ナイフで布を切り裂いた。
I cut through the cloth with a knife.
To go across or pass through an area, often taking a shortcut or moving directly.
To cut across or go straight through an area, like a field or crowd.
公園を突っ切って駅に行った。
I cut through the park to get to the station.
To cross or cut across, often a road or open space.
To take a shortcut, often used in casual speech.
ここをショートカットしよう。
Let's cut through here.
To get to the heart of a matter, bypass confusion, or be clearly heard/understood despite obstacles.
To cut to the core of an issue; to hit the nail on the head.
彼の質問は問題の核心を突いていた。
His question cut through to the heart of the problem.
To see through to the essence; to cut through superficial details.
彼女は複雑な状況の本質を見抜いた。
She cut through the complexity and grasped the essence.
Literally 'cut through the noise', used in marketing or communication contexts.
広告が雑音を切り抜けるのは難しい。
It's hard for ads to cut through the noise.
To bypass or overcome administrative obstacles quickly.
To break through bureaucratic procedures.
彼はお役所仕事を突破して許可を得た。
He cut through the red tape and got the permit.
To skip or eliminate cumbersome procedures.
煩雑な手続きを省いて、すぐに対応してくれた。
They cut through the complicated procedures and handled it quickly.
Directly translating 'cut through' as 切って通る (きってとおる) is unnatural. Use the specific Japanese expressions depending on context.
公園を切って通った。
I cut through the park. (unnatural)
道路を横切るときは気をつけて。
Be careful when cutting across the road.