Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 9: 8/22

きりOnly, Just, Since

っきり is more casual than きり

Structure

Verb[た] + きり(1)
Noun + きり
これ(2) + きり(1)
Number + Counter + きり(1)

(1) っきり
(2) それ

Details

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About きり

As an adverbial particle, きり may convey that 'upon (A)', where (A) is usually a verb, that action was the 'first and last time'. This is frequently translated as 'only', 'just', or 'since'. きり comes from the う - Verb () 'to cut'. きり is often used after the plain past form of verbs, with nouns, or with counters. Let's look at verbs first.

With verbs, きり is primarily used to show that (A) occurring was all that was required for (B). Usually, this results in some permanent consequence, or permanent change of opinion. In almost every situation, (A) is something that has only happened once, and きり can be interpreted as 'ever since'.

When it comes to the use of きり with nouns or counters, it will express that something is happening with (A) as the limit 'nothing more, nothing less'. In other words, (A) is all that will be included in some particular situation/action.

Caution

きり may also be seen as っきり or キリ. There is no specific change in nuance, but っきり is the most common casual form.

Examples

--:--

    やっと二人(ふたり)っきりになれたね。

    It is finally just the two of us.

    (さび)しい(とき)一人(ひとり)っきり()く。

    When I am sad, I cry alone. (just/only myself)

    (ちち)がついに()きりになってしまった。

    My dad has become completely bedridden (only/just sleeps).

    彼女(かのじょ)とは喧嘩(けんか)したっきり()っていません。

    I haven't seen my girlfriend since we had a fight.

    チャンスは一度(いちど)きりしかないから緊張(きんちょう)する。

    I am nervous because I have only one chance.

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      きり – Grammar Discussion