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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Standard
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 切る '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.
Synonyms
Examples
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やっと二人っきりになれたね。
It is finally just the two of us.
寂しい時、一人っきりで泣く。
When I am sad, I cry alone. (just/only myself)
父がついに寝たきりになってしまった。
My dad has become completely bedridden (only/just sleeps).
彼女とは喧嘩したっきり会っていません。
I haven't seen my girlfriend since we had a fight.
チャンスは一度きりしかないから緊張する。
I am nervous because I have only one chance.
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Online
「だけ」「きり」「のみ」
日本語の森
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きり – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (4 in total)
wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV
Not to a video, I’m afraid. I can refer you to pp. 73-75 of A Dictionary of Japanese Particles by Sue A. Kawashima (published by Kodansha) and pp. 219-223 of A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar by Seiichi Makino and Michio Tsutsui (published by The Japan Times Publishing).
Daru
Went ahead and updated the 日本語の森 to the new, non-unlisted one. Cheers!
Kirin
More examples in Game gengo N3 Grammar Video(Game) Textbook
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