〜きり

Meaning

〜きり indicates that something is limited to a specific scope or range, meaning 'only' or 'limited to.' It can attach to verbs in past tense (た形) or nouns. In the form 〜たきり or 〜っきり, it also expresses that a situation has remained unchanged since a particular action or event occurred, often implying a lengthy period of time.

Formation

Examples

1. このチケットは一回きりです。
   This ticket is valid for only one use.

2. 家族と一緒に住んでいるので、ひとりきりで暮らすのはさみしいのでいやです。
   Since I've always lived with my family, living alone would be lonely, and I don't like it.

3. A:最近どこかに旅行に行った？ B:赤ちゃんが生まれてから、夫婦二人きりで旅行するのは難しいよ。
   A: Have you traveled anywhere recently? B: Since the baby was born, it's difficult for us to travel alone as a couple.

Summary

• Use 〜きり after verbs (た-form) or nouns to express 'only' or 'limited to' a specific range
• The forms 〜たきり and 〜っきり indicate no change in a situation since an action occurred, often with long elapsed time
• Common expression 寝たきり (netakiri) means 'bedridden'; 〜たきり + ない often means 'haven't done since then'