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Kotomora

折

fold, break, fracture, bend, yield, submit

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • セツ
  • シャク

Kun'yomi

  • お.る
  • おり
  • お.り
  • -お.り
  • お.れる

Nanori

  • せき

Meaning

折 centers on applying force to change shape or direction: physically folding, bending, or breaking something, and metaphorically yielding or submitting to pressure.

Most common words using 折

23 of 218
  • 折角せっかく
    N3

    with trouble; at great pains

  • 骨折こっせつ
    N3

    bone fracture

  • 折るおる
    N4

    to break; to fracture; to break off; to snap off; to pick (e.g. flowers)

  • 挫折ざせつ

    setback; failure (e.g. plans, business); frustration; discouragement

  • 折り返しおりかえし
    N1

    by return; (call or write back) without delay

  • 折おり
    N1

    opportunity; chance; occasion; time

  • 時折ときおり
    N2

    sometimes; at intervals; occasionally; on occasion; from time to time

  • 折れるおれる
    N4

    to break; to be broken; to snap; to fracture

  • 右折うせつ

    turning to the right; right turn

  • 折りたたみおりたたみ
    N1

    folding; collapsible; telescopic

  • 左折させつ

    turning to the left; left turn

  • 折り合いおりあい

    agreement (e.g. business, dispute); understanding; compromise; settlement

  • 折り紙おりがみ
    N1

    origami; art of paper folding

  • 屈折くっせつ
    N1

    bending; curving; twisting; turning; winding

  • 折衝せっしょう

    negotiation

  • 折り返すおりかえす
    N1

    to turn up (hem, sleeves, etc.); to fold back (e.g. page)

  • 折衷せっちゅう
    N1

    compromise; cross; blending; eclecticism

  • 折々おりおり

    occasionally; now and then; from time to time

  • 折半せっぱん

    halving; splitting evenly; sharing equally

  • 和洋折衷わようせっちゅう

    blending of Japanese and Western styles

  • 曲折きょくせつ

    bending; winding; meandering; zigzagging

  • 折からおりから

    just then; at that time; at that moment

  • 折に触れておりにふれて

    at every opportunity; whenever possible; whenever the occasion arises; from time to time; occasionally

Explore all words using 折 →

Study

Etymology

折 combines 扌 (hand) and 斤 (axe), suggesting a hand using an axe to cut or break something. The meanings of folding, bending, and breaking likely derive from this action.

Meaning mnemonic

A hand 扌 holding an axe 斤 can fold or break things by applying force. Imagine bending a branch until it snaps, or folding paper with a sharp crease.

Reading mnemonic

For セツ, imagine folding a set of papers neatly: set -> セツ, and your hand with an axe-like creaser makes the fold.