Translation guide
To cut off a part of something, often with a single heavy stroke or in a rough, decisive manner. In Japanese, the expression depends on what is being cut (branches, limbs, heads, etc.) and the nuance (pruning, chopping, severing).
To remove branches, twigs, or parts of a plant by cutting, often for pruning or clearing.
General verb for cutting off something, often used for branches or protruding parts. Implies a clean cut.
I lopped off the overgrown branches.
To trim or prune plants, bushes, or hedges. Focuses on shaping or cutting back growth.
I lopped off the garden trees (trimmed them).
To cut away or clear away, often used for removing branches or undergrowth in a more thorough manner.
I lopped off the obstructive branches.
To sever a limb, head, or other part with a heavy blow, often in a violent or decisive context.
Also used for body parts; emphasizes cutting off completely.
He lopped off the arm with a sword.
To sever or cut off, often with a single decisive stroke. Can be used for limbs or abstract things like ties.
To cut off and discard; implies cutting off something unwanted or worthless. Can sound harsh.
To cut off a significant portion, often used figuratively for budgets, time, or quantities.
To reduce or cut down, especially budgets, costs, or numbers. Not a literal cutting.
They lopped off a large chunk of the budget.
To cut decisively or drastically; often used for cutting hair, budgets, or content. 'Bassari' is an onomatopoeia for a clean, bold cut.
I lopped off my hair (cut it short).
To cut down or curtail, often used for expenses, time, or length.
「切り落とす」 implies cutting something off completely from a larger whole. For simply cutting something (like paper or vegetables), use 「切る」. For chopping into pieces, use 「刻む」 or 「切り刻む」.
「切り落とす」 focuses on the result of cutting off and removing. 「断ち切る」 emphasizes the decisive act of severing, often with a single stroke, and can be used metaphorically (e.g., cutting ties).
斧で足を断ち切った。
He lopped off the foot with an axe.
I lopped off the rotten part.
経費をばっさり切った。
We lopped off expenses drastically.
I lopped off living expenses (cut back).