くっきり

く

っ

き

り

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

くっきりする · noun or participle which takes 'suru'

Meanings

clearly; distinctly; in sharp relief

Describes something that stands out visually or figuratively with clear, sharp contours, often used with 見える, 浮かぶ, or 写る. Mimetic word.

〈物もの〉がくっきり(と)見みえるsomething is clearly/sharply visible
山やまの稜りょう線せんがくっきりと見みえた。
The mountain ridge was clearly visible.
〈物もの〉が〈場ば所しょ〉にくっきり(と)浮うかぶsomething stands out sharply against a background
満まん月げつが夜よ空ぞらにくっきりと浮うかんでいた。
The full moon stood out sharply against the night sky.
くっきりとした輪りん郭かくa sharp, well-defined outline
彼かの女じょの顔かおはくっきりとした輪りん郭かくをしている。
Her face has a sharp, well-defined outline.
〈物もの〉がくっきり(と)写うつるsomething shows up clearly/sharply (in a photo, reflection, etc.)
写しゃ真しんに富ふ士じ山さんがくっきりと写うつっている。
Mt. Fuji shows up sharply in the photo.

はっきりN4
はっきり is the general word for clarity of speech, thought, or vision, while くっきり specifically emphasizes sharp, distinct visual contours or contrast.
鮮せん明めいN1
鮮明 is a more formal, written word for vivid clarity (e.g. of images or memories), while くっきり is a casual mimetic word for sharp visual outlines.
ありありN1
くっきり describes sharp visual contrast or outline, whereas ありあり describes the vividness of a mental image, memory, or emotion.

ぼんやりN3
ぼんやり describes something blurry or indistinct, the opposite of くっきり's sharp, clear outline.

Mimetic word; the exact derivation is uncertain, but the reduplicated form with gemination suggests a sharp, clear impression.