GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜たきり
Indicates that an expected change or subsequent action has not occurred since a single past action.
Examples
彼は春に故郷を出たきり、連絡がない。
He left his hometown in the spring and has not contacted us since.
Words used
一度会ったきり、彼女とは話していない。
I met her once and have not spoken to her since.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: After a verb's ta-form,
きりmarks the last action after which expected contact, action, or change has not followed. - Basic usage:
彼は春に故郷を出たきり、連絡がない。describes having no contact from him since he left his hometown in spring.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Continuation since then versus a missing follow-up
卒業して以来、毎年会っているdescribes meetings continuing every year since graduation.卒業したきり会っていないdescribes no meetings since graduation and highlights the absence of a follow-up.