Translation and Meaning of: 折れる - oreru

The Japanese word 折れる[おれる] is a verb that carries both concrete and abstract meanings, making it interesting for language learners. If you've ever wondered how to use it in daily life or what its connection is with Japanese culture, this article will clarify those questions. We will explore from its basic meaning to curiosities about its usage, all with practical examples and useful tips.

The meaning and uses of 折れる

折れる is a Japanese verb that can be translated as "to bend," "to break," or "to give in," depending on the context. In the physical sense, it describes the action of something bending or breaking, like a tree branch or a sheet of paper. In a figurative sense, it can indicate that someone has given in during a discussion or has abandoned a position.

An interesting aspect is that 折れる often implies a change of state, whether of an object or a situation. For example, when used for people, it suggests flexibility or even resignation. This duality between the concrete and the abstract means that the word appears in various contexts, from everyday conversations to deeper expressions.

The origin and writing of 折れる

The kanji 折, present in 折れる, is composed of the hand radical (扌) combined with the character that represents "to cut" (斤). This combination already suggests the idea of manipulating something until it breaks or bends. Historically, the verb is linked to physical actions, but its use has expanded to emotional and social scenarios over time.

It is worth noting that 折れる is a verb of the ichidan class, which means that its conjugation follows a more regular pattern compared to godan verbs. This characteristic can make it easier for beginners studying Japanese, as the variations are more predictable.

How 折れる is used in Japanese culture

In Japan, the notion of "yielding" or "bending" expressed by 折れる is often linked to cultural values such as harmony and flexibility. In discussions, for example, using this verb can indicate that someone is giving up their opinion to maintain peace in the group. This positive connotation of the word reflects an important aspect of communication in the country.

Additionally, 折れる appears frequently in proverbs and fixed expressions. One example is the phrase 枝が折れる (eda ga oreru), which literally means "the branch breaks," but can be used metaphorically to talk about overcoming limits. These uses show how the word is rooted not only in vocabulary but also in Japanese thinking.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 折れる

• 折れる: Positive form, present
• 折れます: Positive form, polite present
• 折れない: Negative form, present
• 折れません: Negative form, polite present
• 折れた: Positive form, past
• 折れました: Positive way, polite past
• 折れなかった: Negative form, past
• 折れませんでした: Negative form, polite past

Synonyms and similar words

• 折る (oru) - dobrar, quebrar
• 壊れる (kowareru) - break, be damaged
• 破れる (yabureru) - tear, break (something that breaks abruptly)
• 断れる (kawaraneru) - to be interrupted, to be rejected (usually related to something that cannot be broken or continued)
• 曲がる (magaru) - bend, curve (change the shape of something that bends without breaking)

折れる

Romaji: oreru
Kana: おれる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: to break; be bent; Give way; turn (a corner)

Meaning in English: to break;to be folded;to give in;to turn (a corner)

Definition: Break: Something breaks or is forced to bend or tear inside.

Example Sentences - (折れる) oreru

See below some example sentences:

この木の枝は折れる可能性がある。

Kono ki no eda wa oreru kanōsei ga aru

This branch of the tree has the possibility of breaking.

The branches of this tree can break.

• この - demonstrative that indicates proximity, equivalent to "this" or "this"
• 木 - noun meaning "tree"
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "'s" in English
• 枝 - noun meaning "twig" or "branch"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "é" or "são" in English
• 折れる - verb meaning "to break" or "to break"
• 可能性 - noun meaning "possibility"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, equivalent to "o" or "a" in English
• ある - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"