N3Compound Verbs and Completion

V-ta form + きり / N + きり

Q: Is "Using the dictionary form instead of the ta-form for verbs." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use the ta-form of the verb.". The ta-form is used to indicate that the action has been completed, and the dictionary form is used to indicate that the action is ongoing or habitual.

Q: Is "Mixing up with 'bakari' which suggests an excessive amount." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 'bakari' to suggest an excessive amount, and 'kiroi' to suggest a limited amount.". 'Bakari' implies that something is excessive or abundant, while 'kiroi' implies that something is limited or exclusive.

Q: Is "Confusing with 'dake' (which is a general 'only' without the 'since then' nuance)." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 'dake' to indicate a general 'only' without the 'since then' nuance, and 'kiroi' to indicate a limited or exclusive amount.". 'Dake' is a general 'only' without the 'since then' nuance, while 'kiroi' implies that something is limited or exclusive.

only/since then

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "V-ta form + きり / N + きり" is used to express that a state has not changed since a specific action occurred, or that something is limited to a single item/person. It often implies 'and nothing else happened' or 'only this'. This pattern is often used to emphasize the uniqueness or exclusivity of a situation or object. For example, "彼は朝出かけた______、まだ帰ってこない." implies that the person has not returned since they left in the morning, and nothing else has happened. Similarly, "今、財布には百円______しか入っていない." means that there is only 100 yen in the wallet, and nothing else.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Ta-form of verb	V-ta form + きり	出かけたきり
Noun	N + きり	百円きり
Ta-form of verb	V-ta form + しか	出かけたしか

Examples

Example Sentences

彼は朝出かけたきり、まだ帰ってこない。

Kare wa asa dekaketa kiri, mada kaette konai.

He has not returned since he left in the morning.

彼は朝出かけた (He left in the morning) + きり (since then) + まだ帰ってこない (has not returned yet)

今、財布には百円きりしか入っていない。

Ima, zaisuu ni wa hyaku-en kiri shika hairu te inai.

There is only 100 yen in the wallet.

今 (now) + 財布には (in the wallet) + 百円 (100 yen) + きり (since then) + しか (only) + 入っていない (is not in)

二人きりで話をしたいのですが。

Futari kiri de hanashi o shita no desu ga.

I would like to talk with you alone.

二人 (two people) + きり (since then) + で (with) + 話をしたい (would like to talk)

彼は朝出かけたきり、夜も帰ってこなかった。

Kare wa asa dekaketa kiri, yoru mo kaette konakatta.

He did not return at night since he left in the morning.

彼は朝出かけた (He left in the morning) + きり (since then) + 夜も (also at night) + 帰ってこなかった (did not return)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to express that a state has not changed since a specific action occurred, or that something is limited to a single item/person. It is often used in formal or polite language. It can be compared to the pattern "dake" which is a general 'only' without the 'since then' nuance.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using the dictionary form instead of the ta-form for verbs.

Use the ta-form of the verb.

The ta-form is used to indicate that the action has been completed, and the dictionary form is used to indicate that the action is ongoing or habitual.

Mixing up with 'bakari' which suggests an excessive amount.

Use 'bakari' to suggest an excessive amount, and 'kiroi' to suggest a limited amount.

'Bakari' implies that something is excessive or abundant, while 'kiroi' implies that something is limited or exclusive.

Confusing with 'dake' (which is a general 'only' without the 'since then' nuance).

Use 'dake' to indicate a general 'only' without the 'since then' nuance, and 'kiroi' to indicate a limited or exclusive amount.

'Dake' is a general 'only' without the 'since then' nuance, while 'kiroi' implies that something is limited or exclusive.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

Pay attention to the nuance of 'kiroi' and 'bakari', and make sure to use the correct form of the verb. Also, be careful not to confuse 'kiroi' with 'dake'.

In context