to trim, to reduce, to cut

JLPT N3 12 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of

The character primarily means "to cut" or "to tailor," often used in contexts related to cutting fabric or materials. It also extends metaphorically to mean "to reduce" or "to lay off" in business contexts, such as裁员 (laying off employees). Additionally, is used in legal contexts to mean "to judge" or "to rule," as in 裁定 (to adjudicate).

Common Collocations

  • 裁缝 (tailor): refers to a person who cuts and sews clothes.
  • 裁员 (lay off employees): used in business to indicate workforce reduction.
  • 裁判 (judgment/referee): related to legal or sports decisions.

Notes

When using in the sense of cutting fabric, it often pairs with (fabric). In legal or decision-making contexts, it appears in compounds like 裁定 or 裁判. Avoid confusing with (jiǎn), which also means "to cut" but is more general and often used for scissors cutting paper or hair. implies a more precise or formal cutting or decision process.

Example Sentences

The tailor is cutting fabric to make clothes.

The company decided to lay off employees to save costs.

The judge ruled the defendant guilty.