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仁義を切る (じんぎをきる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ru)
exchange formal greetings (yakuza, gamblers, etc.)
A set phrase used among yakuza, street vendors, and gamblers for a ritualized greeting that establishes hierarchy and mutual recognition. Not used in ordinary polite conversation.
かれ
は
仁じん
義ぎ
を
切き
っ
て
から
、
相あい
手て
の
縄なわ
張ば
り
に
入はい
る
許きょ
可か
を
求もと
め
た
。
After making the formal salutation, he asked permission to enter the other's territory.
Kanji 仁 humanity, virtue, benevolence 義 righteousness, justice, morality Similar words 挨あい 拶さつ する General verb for greeting; 仁義を切る is a specialized underworld/occupational ritual, not a normal greeting.
仁じん 義ぎ The noun 仁義 means 'humanity and justice' or 'moral code', but in this phrase it refers to the yakuza code and the greeting ritual itself.
Etymology From 仁義 (jin-gi, 'benevolence and righteousness', the moral code of yakuza) + を切る (o kiru, 'to cut/perform'). The verb 切る here carries a sense of 'to perform' or 'to execute' a formal act, similar to 口を切る (to break the ice).
