Meaning and Usage
"削る" (けずる) primarily means to shave or cut away small pieces from something, like sharpening a pencil or carving wood. It also commonly refers to reducing or cutting down quantities such as budgets, expenses, or time.
Common Contexts
You will often see "削る" used when talking about physically shaving or trimming objects, but it is also frequently used metaphorically to describe cutting down costs or deducting amounts, such as taxes or fees.
Collocations and Patterns
- 予算を削る: to cut down the budget, often used in business or finance contexts.
- 鉛筆を削る: to sharpen a pencil, a very common literal use.
- 給料から税金が削られる: taxes are deducted from salary, showing passive form usage.
Register and Nuance
"削る" is a neutral verb suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When used in financial or official settings, it conveys the idea of reduction or deduction clearly and precisely.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "削る" with "減らす" (to decrease) because both involve reduction. However, "削る" often implies cutting away or shaving off a part, sometimes physically, while "減らす" is more general for decreasing amounts or numbers. Use "削る" when the nuance of cutting or shaving is present.