1.
to cut off, to sever
To physically cut something completely in two.
ロープを断ち切った。
I cut the rope.
はさみで糸を断ち切る。
To cut the thread with scissors.
鎖を断ち切って脱出した。
I broke the chains and escaped.
2.
to sever, to break off (ties, feelings)
To decisively end a relationship, habit, or emotional attachment.
悪い縁を断ち切った。
I severed the bad connection.
未練を断ち切って前に進もう。
Let's cut our lingering attachments and move forward.
負けの連鎖を断ち切るために、チームは作戦を変えた。
To break the losing streak, the team changed their strategy.
CONJUGATION: Godan る-verb. 断ち切る → 断ち切って → 断ち切った.
USAGE: A compound of 断つ (to sever) + 切る (to cut). The figurative sense (sense 2) is extremely common and often used for ending relationships, breaking habits, or stopping negative cycles.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 縁を断ち切る: to sever ties
- 未練を断ち切る: to cut lingering attachments
- 連鎖を断ち切る: to break a chain/cycle
- 悪循環を断ち切る: to break a vicious cycle