Translation guide
The English phrase "cut off" has many meanings. This guide organizes them by practical use, from physical separation to interrupting someone.
To cut something so that it becomes separated from what it was attached to.
General term for cutting off or detaching something. Used for both literal and figurative separation.
枝を木から切り離した。
I cut the branch off the tree.
More formal or technical term for cutting off, severing. Often used for cables, limbs, etc.
電線を切断した。
I cut off the power line.
To cut off and let fall, like lopping off a branch or head.
彼は木の枝を切り落とした。
He cut off the tree branch.
To disconnect or stop the flow of a utility or service.
General verb for stopping something. Used for turning off water, gas, etc.
水道を止めてください。
Please cut off the water.
Formal phrase meaning to cut off supply. Used in official contexts.
ガスの供給が停止された。
The gas supply was cut off.
To stop someone from continuing to talk.
Literally 'interrupt someone's talk'. The most natural way to say 'cut someone off' in conversation.
彼は私の話を遮った。
He cut me off mid-sentence.
Verb meaning to interrupt or cut off. Can be used alone if context is clear.
彼女が私を遮った。
She cut me off.
To suddenly stop all contact with someone.
Literally 'cut ties'. Used for severing relationships, including family or friends.
彼は家族と縁を切った。
He cut off ties with his family.
To cut off communication. More about stopping contact than emotional severance.
彼女は突然連絡を絶った。
She suddenly cut off all contact.
To physically prevent access or make a place unreachable.
To isolate or cut off from others. Used for towns, groups, etc.
洪水で町が孤立した。
The town was cut off by the flood.
To block a road, cutting off access.
雪で道が遮断された。
The road was cut off by snow.
To legally prevent someone from receiving an inheritance.
To disown or cut off a child from the family, often including inheritance.
彼は息子を勘当した。
He cut off his son (from the family/inheritance).
More literal: to exclude from inheritance.
彼は遺言で娘を相続から外した。
He cut his daughter out of the will.
English 'cut off' is highly idiomatic. Direct translations like 切る (kiru) often don't work. Always consider the specific meaning first.