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 |
He graciously admitted defeat.
潔く謝るのが大人の態度だ。
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.
彼は潔い心の持ち主だと昔の人は言った。
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.
古い歌には、潔い山水の景色が詠まれている。
In old poems, unspoiled mountain and river scenery is celebrated.
He lost the match gracefully.
She apologized for her mistake without making excuses.
The president readily admitted his responsibility.
He gracefully stepped down from the position of president.
潔い praises fair, honorable, unhesitating behavior, contrasting with the sneaky unfairness implied by 卑劣.