Meaning and Usage
"切れ" (きれ) primarily means a piece or a cut of cloth, but it also extends to mean a sharpness or quickness, especially in expressions related to sharpness of knives or quickness of temper.
Common Contexts
- Cloth or material: Used when referring to a piece or segment of fabric.
- Sharpness: Describes how sharp a blade or tool is.
- Temper or mood: Used metaphorically to describe how quickly someone loses their temper.
Collocations and Patterns
- 切れがいい (きれがいい): "sharp" or "efficient"; often used for knives or tools.
- 切れが早い (きれがはやい): "quick to lose temper"; describes a person’s temperament.
- 布の切れ (ぬののきれ): "piece of cloth"; literal use.
Usage Notes
When using "切れ" to mean a piece of cloth, it often appears with measurements or quantities. When referring to sharpness or temperament, it is usually part of a phrase describing the quality or speed of the 'cut' or reaction. Avoid confusing "切れ" with "切る" (to cut), as "切れ" is a noun form and has distinct uses.
Register
"切れ" is a neutral noun used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the phrase it appears in.