Meaning & usage
The suffix (っ)きり expresses that something is limited to one thing or person, or that someone is completely absorbed in one activity or left in a continuing state. It follows nouns, as in 一人きり and 一人っきり where the small っ is optional, and the masu stem of verbs, as in 持ちきり or かかりきり. Forms like 寝たきり are fixed lexicalized expressions rather than a freely productive pattern, and the colloquial 一人っきり fits casual style rather than stiff formal writing.
Example sentences 5
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社内はそのニュースのことで持ちきりだった。
They talked about nothing but the news in the company.
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彼は家の中で一人っきりだった。
He was all alone in the house.
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父が寝たきりなので私たちが交代で面倒をみています。
Since our father is bedridden, we take turns looking after him.
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彼女は午後ずっと料理にかかりきりだった。
She was occupied in cooking all afternoon.
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自分一人きりの状況を想像してごらん。
Imagine a situation where you are all alone.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 4 past exam questions.
