Difference between 切る、切り刻む、刻む


What's the difference between these words?




I think the most basic differences might be something like this:

>   * 切る - **to cut / cut off**
>   * 刻む - **to carve into / to slice**
>

Here are two examples for each word. The first one is _literal_ usage, the
second on is _figurative_ usage.  

>   * 文字を石に **刻む** - to **carve** letters **into** a rock
>   * 心に **刻まれた** - (it) was **carved into** (my) heart
>

...

>   * 紙を **切る** - to **cut** paper
>   * 縁{えん}を **切った** - (he) **cut off** (our) relationship
>

  

刻む also has the common meaning of "cut thinly" or "slice" as in:

>   * ねぎを **刻む** - to **slice** chives
>

You can combine the two words like this:

>   * ねぎを **切り刻む** - to **slice up** chives **very thinly**
>




I think the most basic differences might be something like this:

>   * 切る - **to cut / cut off**
>   * 刻む - **to carve into / to slice**
>

Here are two examples for each word. The first one is _literal_ usage, the
second on is _figurative_ usage.  

>   * 文字を石に **刻む** - to **carve** letters **into** a rock
>   * 心に **刻まれた** - (it) was **carved into** (my) heart
>

...

>   * 紙を **切る** - to **cut** paper
>   * 縁{えん}を **切った** - (he) **cut off** (our) relationship
>

  

刻む also has the common meaning of "cut thinly" or "slice" as in:

>   * ねぎを **刻む** - to **slice** chives
>

You can combine the two words like this:

>   * ねぎを **切り刻む** - to **slice up** chives **very thinly**
>

