潔い
潔い · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 潔い | 潔くない |
| Polite | 潔いです | 潔くないですalso 潔くありません |
| Past polite | 潔かったです | 潔くなかったですalso 潔くありませんでした |
| Past | 潔かった | 潔くなかった |
| Te-form | 潔くて | 潔くなくて |
| Adverbial | 潔く | |
| Conditional | 潔ければ | 潔くなければ |
| Tara conditional | 潔かったら | 潔くなかったら |
Meanings
gracious; sportsmanlike; noble
Describes a person or attitude that accepts defeat, apologizes, or faces difficulty with dignity and without resentment. Often used in contexts like 潔く負ける (to lose gracefully) or 潔く謝る (to apologize without excuses).
He graciously admitted defeat.
Apologizing without making excuses is the mature thing to do.
Dated term for a person of integrity, righteous character, or innocent heart. Modern usage is limited; often replaced by 誠実 or 正直 in everyday speech.
People in the past said he was a person of pure heart.
Archaic use for scenery or nature that is untouched and beautiful. Not used in modern Japanese; found only in classical literature.
In old poems, unspoiled mountain and river scenery is celebrated.
Usage patterns
- 潔く負けるto lose gracefully, without excuses or resentment
He lost the match gracefully.
- 潔く謝るto apologize honestly, without making excuses
She apologized for her mistake without making excuses.
- 潔く認めるto readily admit (a fault, defeat, etc.)
The president readily admitted his responsibility.
- 潔く辞めるto resign gracefully, stepping down without clinging to a position
He gracefully stepped down from the position of president.