Translation guide
The English verb "pare" means to trim or cut away the outer layer or excess parts of something, often with a knife. In Japanese, the most natural translation depends on what is being pared and the intended result.
To remove the skin or outer layer of fruits or vegetables using a knife or peeler.
The most common and general way to say "peel" or "pare" for fruits and vegetables. Literally "remove the skin".
りんごの皮をむいてください。
Please pare the apple.
じゃがいもの皮をむく。
I pare potatoes.
A shorter verb meaning "to peel" or "to pare". Often used when the object is clear from context.
にんじんをむいてから切る。
Pare the carrots, then cut them.
To slice off the skin thinly, often used for precise paring or when removing only a thin layer.
きゅうりの皮を薄くそぐ。
Thinly pare the cucumber.
To trim or cut nails, often to shorten or shape them.
The standard way to say "cut nails" or "pare nails".
爪を切るのを忘れた。
I forgot to pare my nails.
To groom or shape nails, implying a more careful paring.
爪を整える。
I pare and shape my nails.
To reduce something gradually by cutting away non-essential parts, such as costs, text, or a list.
To cut down or reduce, often used for budgets, expenses, or numbers.
経費を削減する必要がある。
We need to pare down expenses.
To cut back or economize, often implying trimming excess to the bare minimum.
生活費を切り詰める。
Pare down living expenses.
To strip away or pare off non-essentials, often used for text or features.
To cut off thin slices or shavings from a surface, such as wood or cheese.
不要な部分をそぎ落とす。
Pare away unnecessary parts.