Translation and Meaning of: 割 - katsu

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 割[かつ]. It may seem simple at first glance, but it carries interesting meanings and uses in daily life in Japan. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, its origin, how it is written, and even practical examples of usage. If you truly want to learn Japanese, understanding terms like this is essential – and Suki Nihongo is here to help!

The meaning and usage of 割[かつ]

The word 割[かつ] is a kanji that can be read as "katsu" and is associated with ideas like division, percentage, or even advantage. One of its most common uses is in expressions like 割引[わりびき] (discount), where 割 indicates a fraction of the original value. For example, 二割引 means a 20% discount.

Additionally, 割 also appears in informal contexts to indicate that something is advantageous or "worth it." In Japan, it's common to hear phrases like 割がいい (katsu ga ii) to say that a situation is favorable. This usage reflects how the Japanese language connects mathematics and everyday assessment.

The origin and writing of the kanji 割

The kanji 割 is composed of the radical 刂 (right side, related to cutting) and the component 害 (which originally represented damage). Together, they convey the idea of "dividing" or "separating." This construction makes sense when we think about its use for percentages and discounts – after all, these are situations that involve "parts" of a whole.

It's worth noting that 割 is not one of the most complex kanjis, but its reading can vary. While かつ is one of the kun'yomi readings, it can also be read as わり in compound words. To memorize it, a tip is to associate the radical 刂 with something being "cut" into pieces – this makes it easier to remember the meaning of division.

How 割[かつ] appears in Japanese culture

In Japan, the notion of "dividing" is present in various aspects of daily life, and 割 is part of that. Restaurants, for example, use 割り勘 [わりかん] to indicate that the bill will be split equally among the customers. This term is so common that it even became a topic of discussions about social etiquette in the country.

Another interesting use is in expressions like 割に合わない (katsu ni awanai), which means "not worth it." This type of construction shows how the Japanese language uses 割 to evaluate situations practically. If you want to sound more natural when speaking, paying attention to these details makes all the difference.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 分割 (bunkatsu) - Division, separation
• 分ける (wakeru) - Divide, separate (act of dividing)
• 切り分ける (kiriwakeru) - Cutting and dividing, segregation by cut
• 分割する (bunkatsu suru) - Perform division, divide
• 分けること (wakeru koto) - Ato de dividir
• 切り分けること (kiriwakeru koto) - Action of cutting and dividing
• 分割処理 (bunkatsu shori) - Processo de divisão
• 分割作業 (bunkatsu sagyou) - Division work
• 分割操作 (bunkatsu sousa) - Operação de divisão
• 分割機能 (bunkatsu kinou) - Division function
• 分割機能付き (bunkatsu kinou tsuki) - With division function
• 分割可能 (bunkatsu kanou) - Possible to divide, divisible
• 分割可能な (bunkatsu kanou na) - Capable of being divided
• 分割された (bunkatsu sareta) - Divided (state of division)
• 分割されたもの (bunkatsu sareta mono) - Divided thing
• 分割されたファイル (bunkatsu sareta fairu) - Split file
• 分割された画面 (bunkatsu sareta gamen) - Split Screen
• 分割された領域 (bunkatsu sareta ryouiki) - Divided area
• 分割される (bunkatsu sareru) - Ser dividido
• 分割分散 (bunkatsu bunsan) - Division and dispersion
• 分割配信 (bunkatsu haishin) - Split transmission
• 分割転送 (bunkatsu tensou) - Split transfer
• 分割結合 (bunkatsu ketsugou) - Division and combination
• 分割結合する (bunkatsu ketsugou suru) - Perform division and combination
• 分割結合処理 (bunkatsu ketsugou shori) - Division and combination process
• 分割結合作業 (bunkatsu ketsugou sagyou) - Work on division and combination
• 分割結合操作 (bunkatsu ketsugou sousa) - Division and combination operation

割

Romaji: katsu
Kana: かつ
Type: noun
L: -

Translation / Meaning: to divide; cut; depart in half; to separate; to divide; to tear apart; to break; to crack; smash; dilute

Meaning in English: divide;cut;halve;separate;split;rip;break;crack;smash;dilute

Definition: "Wari" is a verb that means to divide something into numbers or to discount the price.

Example Sentences - (割) katsu

See below some example sentences:

動詞は日本語の文法で重要な役割を果たします。

Doushi wa nihongo no bunpou de juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashimasu

The verb plays an important role in Japanese grammar.

• 動詞 (doushi) - verb
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 文法 (bunpou) - grammar
• で (de) - Location particle
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• な (na) - adjective particle
• 役割 (yakuwari) - role/function
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 果たします (hatashimasu) - perform/fulfill

器官は体内の重要な役割を果たしています。

Kikan wa tainai no juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu

Organs play an important role in the body.

Organs play an important role in the body.

• 器官 (Kikan) - organs
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 体内 (Tainai) - inside the body
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - Paper, function
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 果たしています (hatashiteimasu) - performing

大臣は政治家の中でも重要な役割を果たしています。

Daijin wa seijika no naka demo juuyou na yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Ministers play an important role among politicians.

The minister plays an important role among politicians.

• 大臣 - minister
• は - Topic particle
• 政治家 - political
• の - Possessive particle
• 中でも - Especially among
• 重要な - Important
• 役割 - role/function
• を - Direct object particle
• 果たしています - performs (present progressive)

女性は社会において重要な役割を果たしています。

Josei wa shakai ni oite juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu

Women play an important role in society.

• 女性 - Women
• は - Topic particle
• 社会 - Society
• において - na
• 重要な - Important
• 役割 - Paper
• を果たしています - perform

弁護士は被告人を弁護する役割を持っています。

Bengoshi wa hikokunin o bengo suru yakuwari o motte imasu

Lawyers have the role of defending the defendants.

The lawyer has the role of defending the defendant.

• 弁護士 - attorney
• は - Topic particle
• 被告人 - defendant
• を - direct object particle
• 弁護する - Defend
• 役割 - role/function
• を - direct object particle
• 持っています - has/possesses

役割を果たすことが大切です。

Yakuwari wo hatasu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to fulfill the role.

It's important to play a role.

• 役割 - Paper, function
• を - object particle
• 果たす - perform, fulfill
• こと - verb noun
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

彼女の心は真っ二つに割れた。

Kanojo no kokoro wa maffutatsu ni wareta

Her heart broke in two.

• 彼女 - She
• の - 's (possessive particle)
• 心 - heart
• は - Topic particle
• 真っ二つ - divided in two
• に - Location particle
• 割れた - Broken

数字は重要な役割を果たします。

Sūji wa jūyōna yakuwari o hatashimasu

Numbers play an important role.

• 数字 (suuji) - means "number" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 重要な (juuyou na) - 重要 (じゅうよう)
• 役割 (yakuwari) - means "role" or "function" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 果たします (hatashimasu) - verb meaning "to perform" or "to fulfill" in Japanese

昆虫は自然の中でとても重要な役割を果たしています。

Kunchū wa shizen no naka de totemo jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Insects play a very important role in nature.

• 昆虫 (konchuu) - Insects
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自然 (shizen) - nature
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 中で (chuu de) - Inside of
• とても (totemo) - very
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 役割を果たしています (yakuwari wo hatashite imasu) - play a role

民間企業は経済の発展に重要な役割を果たしています。

Minkan kigyou wa keizai no hatten ni juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu

Private companies play an important role in the development of the economy.

• 民間企業 - Private companies
• は - Topic particle
• 経済 - economy
• の - Possession particle
• 発展 - development
• に - target particle
• 重要 - important
• な - adjective particle
• 役割 - role/function
• を - direct object particle
• 果たしています - perform (verb)