Translation guide
The English word 'trim' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: cutting a small amount, decorating edges, reducing excess, and a few specialized meanings.
To cut a little bit to make something neat, not a major cut.
General verb for 'cut'. When used for trimming, it often implies cutting off a small amount, especially with context like 'a little' (少し).
髪を少し切ってください。
Please trim my hair a little.
庭木を切った。
I trimmed the garden trees.
Specifically for cutting grass, hedges, or hair (like mowing or shearing). Often used for trimming plants or giving a haircut.
芝生を刈る。
Trim the lawn.
Means 'to arrange' or 'to put in order'. Used for trimming hair or plants to make them look neat.
Loanword from English 'trimming', often used for pet grooming or photo cropping.
犬の毛をトリミングする。
Trim the dog's fur.
To add decorative material along the edge of something.
To edge, border, or trim with something decorative.
To remove excess or unnecessary parts to make something leaner.
To cut down, reduce (costs, budget, etc.). Formal and common in business.
経費を削減する必要がある。
We need to trim expenses.
To cut off uneven or unwanted parts to make something tidy.
To adjust the balance or position of a vessel or aircraft.
Technical term using the loanword 'trim' plus 'adjust'. Used in aviation and sailing.
飛行機のトリムを調整する。
Trim the airplane.
The loanword トリム is not as versatile as English 'trim'. It's mainly used in specific contexts like photo cropping, pet grooming, or technical fields. For cutting hair or plants, use native Japanese verbs.
髪をトリムする
trim hair (unnatural)
切る is general 'cut'. 刈る is specifically for cutting grass, hair, or hedges with a sweeping motion (like mowing or shearing). Use 刈る for trimming lawns or hedges, and 切る for trimming a small amount off something like hair or nails.
生け垣を刈り込む。
Trim the hedge.
髪の毛を整える。
Trim one's hair (to neaten it).
ドレスをレースで縁取る。
Trim the dress with lace.
General phrase meaning 'to attach decoration'. Can be used for trimming edges.
カーテンにフリンジの飾りをつける。
Trim the curtains with fringe.
Loanword used in fashion or interior design for decorative trim.
このジャケットにはトリムが使われている。
This jacket has trim on it.
General verb for 'reduce'. Can be used for trimming fat, weight, etc.
脂肪を減らす。
Trim fat.
To cut down, curtail, economize. Often used for budgets or living expenses.
生活費を切り詰める。
Trim living expenses.
To shave off, pare down. Used for trimming excess fat or unnecessary elements.
余分な脂肪をそぎ落とす。
Trim off excess fat.
To cut and align, trim evenly. Used for hair, paper, etc.
紙の端を切りそろえる。
Trim the edges of the paper.
Specifically for cropping or trimming photos/images.
写真をトリミングする。
Trim the photo.