JLPT N3

～きり

only; just; since (then)

Structure

Noun + きり / Verb-ta form + きり

How it works

Used to indicate that something happened only once or a situation has remained unchanged since a particular event. It adds a nuance of 'only after that, no more'.

Examples

彼とは一度会ったきり、連絡を取っていない。

I met him only once, and haven't contacted him since.

Common mistakes

Confusing it with 'だけ' or 'のみ'; 'きり' often implies a negative consequence of the singular event or lack of further action.

Tip

Think of 'きり' as a barrier or a stopping point – nothing happened beyond that.

More JLPT N3 grammar

としてに対してについてによってに関してにとってわけだわけがない

See ～きり in real Japanese

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