1.
to break, to snap
To break something by bending or applying pressure. The transitive form—someone breaks something.
枝を折った。
I broke a branch.
足を折ってしまった。
I broke my leg.
Used for bone fractures
彼のために骨を折った。
I went to great trouble for him.
骨を折る = make great effort (idiomatic)
腕を折った。
I broke my arm.
箸を折った。
I broke the chopsticks.
2.
to fold, to bend
To fold paper or other flexible materials. Used for origami and folding.
紙を折って鶴を作る。
Fold paper to make a crane.
Origami context
傘を半分に折って入れた。
I folded the umbrella in half and put it in.
手紙を半分に折る。
Fold the letter in half.
新聞を折って鞄に入れた。
I folded the newspaper and put it in my bag.
膝を折る。
To kneel down.
TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞 (transitive). Pair: 折れる (intransitive, to break/be folded). Pattern: Xを折る (break/fold X).
ASPECT: ている indicates completed action with result. 折っている = 'has broken/folded.'
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 枝を折る (break a branch)
- 骨を折る (break a bone; also: to take pains)
- 紙を折る (fold paper)
- 折り紙 (origami—noun)
- 心が折れる (to lose heart—idiomatic, uses intransitive)
IDIOMS:
- 骨を折る (to make great efforts, take pains)
- 足を折る (also: to interrupt, cut short)
HOMOPHONE: Don't confuse with おる (humble form of いる) which is different.
Related Words
Pair verb:
折れる (intransitive, to break/fold)