Translation guide
The English verb 'shear' has several distinct meanings: cutting wool from sheep, cutting hair or other materials with shears, and a technical sense of deformation under stress. This guide focuses on the most common meaning for learners—removing wool from sheep—and also covers related cutting actions and the technical usage.
In spring, we shear the sheep.
A more technical term for shearing, often used in agricultural or industrial contexts.
On this farm, they shear once a year.
To cut something using a scissor-like tool, such as hair, hedges, or metal.
Used for cutting grass, hedges, or hair. The object determines the context. For hair, '髪を刈る' is common but can imply a close crop.
I sheared the hedge in the garden.
General verb for cutting. Use with tools like shears or scissors. For hair, '髪を切る' is the standard way to say 'cut hair'.
Technical term for shearing materials like metal or fabric in engineering contexts.
A machine that shears metal plates.
In physics or engineering, when a material is deformed by opposing forces.
In English, 'shear' often implies using large shears or a specific tool. In Japanese, '切る' (cut) is more natural for general cutting with scissors. Reserve '刈る' for cutting grass, hedges, or wool, and '剪断' for technical contexts.
She sheared off her own hair.
The strata sheared due to the earthquake.