切(き)れ目(め)

きれめ
noun
break; gap; pause; cut; seam
time-general
1. break; gap; pause; interruption
A point where something is interrupted or divided, either in time or in a continuous sequence.
話(はなし)の切(き)れ目(め)。
A pause in the conversation.
仕事(しごと)の切(き)れ目(め)に休憩(きゅうけい)を取(と)る。
To take a break during a pause in work.
雨(あめ)の切(き)れ目(め)を見計(みはか)らって外(そと)に出(で)た。
I waited for a break in the rain and went outside.
2. cut; slit; seam; opening
A physical line or opening where something has been cut or separated.
袋(ふくろ)に切(き)れ目(め)を入(い)れる。
To make a cut in a bag.
紙(かみ)の切(き)れ目(め)に沿(そ)って折(お)る。
To fold along the cut line on the paper.
壁(かべ)に細(ほそ)い切(き)れ目(め)が入(はい)っていた。
There was a thin crack in the wall.

A compound noun from 切(き)れる (to cut/break) + 目(め) (point/spot). Refers to any point of division or interruption, whether abstract (time, conversation) or physical (a slit, crack).

Common collocations

Common expressions

金(かね)の切(き)れ目(め)が縁(えん)の切(き)れ目(め): "When the money runs out, the relationship ends" — a well-known saying about how financial problems can end relationships.

Similar words

  • 隙間(すきま): gap, crevice — emphasizes empty space between objects
  • 区切(くぎ)り: division, punctuation — emphasizes a deliberate marking or boundary point
  • 途切(とぎ)れ: break, interruption — emphasizes something stopping or being cut short

Related Words

Compare: 隙間(すきま) (gap, crevice)
Compare: 区切(くぎ)り (division, punctuation)
Compare: 途切(とぎ)れ (break, interruption)
Compare: 切(き)り込(こ)み (slit)
Related: 破(やぶ)れ目(め) (tear)
general
Added 2026.3.30 23:24 · Revised 2026.10.16 11:12
20500/20720_kireme