JLPT N3 Grammar
· Intermediate
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· Intermediate
only/since then
Category: Compound Verbs and Completion
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.
| 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 |
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)
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.
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.
'Bakari' implies that something is excessive or abundant, while 'kiroi' implies that something is limited or exclusive.
'Dake' is a general 'only' without the 'since then' nuance, while 'kiroi' implies that something is limited or exclusive.
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'.
彼は朝出かけた______、まだ帰ってこない。
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