Meaning and Usage
The verb 折れる (おれる) primarily means "to break" or "to snap," often used for objects like branches or bones. It also means "to be folded," commonly used when folding paper or cloth. Additionally, it can mean "to give in" or "to yield," especially in contexts of negotiation or stubbornness.
Common Collocations
- 折れる枝 (おれるえだ): a broken branch
- 紙を折る (かみをおる): to fold paper
- 意見が折れる (いけんがおれる): to give in or compromise in opinion
Usage Notes
When used to mean "break," 折れる implies a clean break or snap, not just any damage. For "fold," it is often used in the passive or potential form to describe the paper or object being folded. When expressing "giving in," it often appears in negative forms to emphasize stubbornness, e.g., 折れない (not give in).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 折れる with 折る (おる), which is the transitive form meaning "to break (something)" or "to fold (something)." 折れる is intransitive, meaning the subject itself breaks or folds.