Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the idea of being cut off in Japanese, including physical separation, interruption of supply or communication, and social isolation.
To be physically separated from a place, group, or person, often by natural forces or circumstances.
Means to be isolated or cut off from others, often used for people or communities.
大雪で村が孤立した。
The village was cut off by heavy snow.
Used when something is physically blocked or cut off, like a road or path.
土砂崩れで道路が遮断された。
The road was cut off by a landslide.
Means to be left behind or stranded, often implying being cut off from help or escape.
洪水で家に取り残された。
I was cut off in my house by the flood.
To have a supply of something like electricity, water, or gas stopped or disconnected.
General term for being stopped or cut off, often used for utilities.
電気を止められた。
My electricity was cut off.
Focuses on the supply itself stopping, often due to external factors.
地震でガスの供給が止まった。
The gas supply was cut off due to the earthquake.
Specifically means water supply cut off, often used in notices.
To have a phone call, internet connection, or other communication suddenly ended or interrupted.
Common verb for a call or connection being cut off or dropped.
電話が切れた。
The call got cut off.
More formal, used for complete loss of communication, like in disasters.
台風で通信が途絶えた。
Communication was cut off due to the typhoon.
Technical term for a line being disconnected, often used in IT contexts.
回線が切断されました。
The line has been cut off.
To be excluded from a group, relationship, or social circle, or to feel emotionally detached.
Means to be left out or ostracized from a group.
彼は友達から仲間外れにされた。
He was cut off by his friends.
Stronger term for being disowned or having ties severed, often in family or close relationships.
親に縁を切られた。
I was cut off by my parents.
Expresses the feeling of being cut off or isolated emotionally.
新しい職場で孤立感を感じている。
I feel cut off at my new workplace.
The English phrase 'be cut off' covers many situations. In Japanese, different verbs and expressions are used depending on what is being cut off (physical path, utility, communication, social ties). Using a single direct translation like 切られる for all cases often sounds unnatural.
切れる (intransitive) means something cuts off by itself (e.g., a call drops). 切られる (passive of 切る) means something is deliberately cut off by someone (e.g., the phone is hung up on you). Choose based on whether an agent is implied.
明日は断水します。
Water will be cut off tomorrow.