刈る・苅る|かるkaru[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
刈る刈る is the most common written form and the usual choice when writing this word; it is written with kanji and kana.
苅る苅る is a rarely used kanji-and-kana variant of 刈る. Learners may encounter it in writing but will seldom need to produce it.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto cut (grass, hair, etc.); to mow; to clip; to trim; to prune; to shear; to reap; to harvest
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 刈る（かる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 刈ります（かります） |
| Negative (nai) | 刈らない（からない） |
| polite (masen) | 刈りません（かりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 刈らず・刈らぬ（からず・からぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 刈った（かった） |
| polite (mashita) | 刈りました（かりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 刈らなかった（からなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 刈りませんでした（かりませんでした） |
| Te form | 刈って（かって） |
| Potential | 刈れる（かれる） |
| Passive | 刈られる（かられる） |
| Causative | 刈らせる（からせる） |
| Causative passive | 刈らせられる・刈らされる（からせられる・からされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 刈れば（かれば） |
| tara | 刈ったら（かったら） |
| Volitional | 刈ろう（かろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 刈りましょう（かりましょう） |
| Imperative | 刈れ（かれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym刈り込むかりこむNeutralTrims something into neat shape, as in 「生け垣を刈り込む」; the emphasis is on shaping and tidying rather than simply cutting.
- Related切り落とすきりおとすNeutralCuts something off so that it drops, as in 「枝を切り落とす」; not limited to grass or trees.
- Related切り取るきりとるNeutralCuts out a part of something, as in 「記事を切り取る」; its objects are broad and not limited to plants.
- Related切断せつだんNeutralCuts or severs something; also used for cutting off connections, as in 「通信を切断する」. Its objects are broad, not limited to plants.
- Related切り離すきりはなすNeutralCuts something apart to separate it, as in 「車両を切り離す」; the emphasis is on the separation.
- Related切除せつじょNeutralCuts out a diseased or unwanted part, as in 「腫瘍を切除する」; mostly used in medical contexts.
- Related切り払うきりはらうNeutralCuts away vegetation that is in the way, as in 「枝を切り払う」; the emphasis is on clearing things out of the way.
- Related剪除せんじょWrittenA written/formal word for cutting something off and removing it; rare in modern usage. Everyday cases like mowing or cutting hair take 「刈る」.
- Antonym植えるうえるNeutralTo plant; stands opposite 「刈る」 in the pairing of planting and cutting.
Use 「刈る」 for mowing grass, cutting hair, and harvesting crops. For trimming into neat shape, say 「刈り込む」; for cutting off a part, 「切り取る」 or 「切り落とす」; for surgical removal, 「切除」. The opposite is 「植える」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
