切れ
Meanings
Used for cloth or fabric, especially a piece of cloth used for sewing or making something. Alternate spellings 布 and 裂 for this sense, but 切れ is safer for learners.
My grandmother sewed old pieces of cloth together to make a bag.
sharpness; cutting ability
Describes how well a blade or tool cuts; also extends naturally to crispness or sharpness in judgment, language, or performance. 切れがいい is a common pattern.
This kitchen knife cuts well.
agility; crispness; sharp movement
Used for quick, precise, energetic movement, especially in sports, dance, or performance. キレがある is common in casual and media-style writing.
Her dancing today has crisp, sharp movements.
counter for pieces; counter for slices; counter for scraps
Counter for cut pieces, slices, or scraps. It commonly appears in forms such as 一切れ and 二切れ.
I ate two slices of cake.
Usage patterns
- 〈数〉切れcounter for slices or pieces
I ate a slice of bread.
- 〈物〉の切れで作るto make something from a scrap of fabric
I made doll clothes from leftover fabric scraps.
- キレのある〈事〉crisp, sharp movement or performance
She danced with sharp, crisp movements.
- 切れのいい〈物〉a tool or blade with good cutting sharpness
I bought a knife that cuts well.
- 頭の切れがいいto be mentally sharp or quick-witted
He's sharp-minded, so he found the answer right away.