切(き)れ味(あじ)

きれあじ

noun

sharpness; cutting quality

descriptive tool

1. sharpness; cutting quality

How well a blade or cutting tool cuts. The quality or degree of sharpness.

この包丁(ほうちょう)は切(き)れ味(あじ)がいい。

This kitchen knife has good sharpness.

切(き)れ味(あじ)が落(お)ちたナイフを研(と)いだ。

I sharpened the knife that had lost its edge.

新(あたら)しいはさみは切(き)れ味(あじ)が抜群(ばつぐん)だ。

The new scissors have outstanding sharpness.

2. incisiveness; sharpness (figurative)

The sharpness or effectiveness of words, arguments, or actions. Used figuratively for things that are sharp and decisive.

彼女(かのじょ)の発言(はつげん)は切(き)れ味(あじ)が鋭(するど)い。

Her remarks are sharp and incisive.

今日(きょう)のプレゼンは切(き)れ味(あじ)のある内容(ないよう)だった。

Today's presentation had sharp, incisive content.

年齢(ねんれい)を重(かさ)ねても、彼(かれ)の批評(ひひょう)の切(き)れ味(あじ)は衰(おとろ)えない。

Even as he ages, the sharpness of his criticism doesn't decline.

切(き)れ味(あじ) literally means 'cutting flavor' — the quality of how well something cuts. Widely used both for actual blades and figuratively for sharp wit, speech, or performance.

Common collocations

切(き)れ味(あじ)がいい/わるい: good/bad sharpness
切(き)れ味(あじ)が鋭(するど)い: extremely sharp
切(き)れ味(あじ)が落(お)ちる: to lose its edge
切(き)れ味(あじ)が抜群(ばつぐん): outstanding sharpness

Usage

The figurative sense applies to anything that is sharp and decisive:

Speeches and arguments: 彼(かれ)の批評(ひひょう)の切(き)れ味(あじ) (the sharpness of his criticism)
Athletic moves: ドリブルの切(き)れ味(あじ) (sharpness of dribbling)
Writing and wit: 切(き)れ味(あじ)のある文章(ぶんしょう) (sharp, incisive writing)

general

Added 2026.3.24 18:57 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

19000/19110_kireaji