っきり
Meanings
Attaches to a noun or verb to mean 'only that and nothing else'. Often used with a number or a single item. Similar to だけ but can carry a nuance of finality or limitation.
See also: きり
I've only met him once.
This is all that's left.
Used after a past-tense verb to mean 'ever since' or 'after doing something, nothing else has happened'. Typically appears in negative sentences, emphasizing that something hasn't occurred since that point.
He left and hasn't come back since.
I haven't heard from him since he called last week.
continuously; remaining in a state
Follows a verb in た-form or a noun to indicate that a state continues unchanged. Often used with verbs like したまま or なったまま, emphasizing that the situation persists without interruption.
He remained seated and wouldn't move.
I left the window open and forgot to close it.
Usage patterns
- 〈数〉っきりonly/just that many (times, people, etc.)
We only met that one time.
- 〈動詞〉たっきり、〈事〉ever since doing ~, (nothing further has happened)
He hasn't come back since he left.
- 〈動詞〉たっきり〈動詞〉leaving something in a state without changing it, then doing something else
I fell asleep with the TV left on.
- 〈人〉と〈人〉っきりjust the two (or however many) of them, alone together
We talked alone, just the two of us.