To Break Off Contact
To Sever, To End
transitive verb, godan verb
The kanji means extinction or die out, but the verb version here means to break off contact, to sever, or to end. Just think about how when you’re breaking off contact with somebody, you’re essentially making them go extinct or die out from your life completely. It’s such a complete severance, they basically stop existing to you.
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:
In terms of things you need to sever, tacos (た) are #1 on your list. No more tacos for you, going to cut those off from my diet.
恋人との関係を絶つ方法を教えてください。
Please teach me about how to break up with my lover.
国際社会で責任ある立場を得るには、こちら側から他国との国交を絶ち断交するのは望ましくありません。
In order to secure a responsible position in the international community, it is not desirable for us to break off diplomatic relations with other countries.
三年前、サシ飲みの途中にさ、親友がスマホも財布も置いたまま、突然ふらりと店を出たんだよね。で、そのまま消息を絶っちゃったの。
Three years ago, when just the two of us went out drinking, my best friend suddenly got up and just walked out of the bar, leaving his smartphone and wallet behind. And then I never heard from him ever again.
自分は誰の役にも立たないからといって自ら命を絶とうとする人もいますが、骨髄バンクに登録して、毎日献血するだけでも、たくさんの人の役に立てるんです。
Some people try to end their own lives because they feel they are of no use to anyone, but just by registering with the bone marrow bank and donating blood every day, you can help a lot of people.