1.
to slice thin; to shave off; to chip
To cut something at an angle into thin slices or to shave off small amounts.
鰹節を薄く削ぐ。
Shave the dried bonito into thin slices.
鶏肉を削ぎ切りにする。
Cut the chicken into thin diagonal slices.
2.
to diminish; to dampen; to weaken
Used figuratively to describe reducing or weakening something like motivation, energy, or interest.
やる気を削ぐような発言はやめてほしい。
I wish you'd stop making comments that dampen my motivation.
TRANSITIVITY:
他動詞 (transitive)
Pattern: Xを削ぐ
ASPECT (ている):
削いでいる indicates ongoing action (in the process of slicing/shaving).
COOKING CUTTING TECHNIQUE:
削ぎ切り ({sogigiri}) - diagonal slice cut, where the knife is held at an angle to create thin, wide slices. Used for chicken, fish, and vegetables.
COMMON FIGURATIVE USES:
- やる気を削ぐ - to dampen motivation
- 気力を削ぐ - to sap energy
- 興味を削ぐ - to diminish interest
- 勢いを削ぐ - to weaken momentum
CONJUGATION:
て-form: 削いで (follows regular godan pattern with ぐ→いで)