Processing keyword: ～たきり (〜takiri)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～たきり (〜takiri)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～たきり (〜takiri)

1. Introduction

The grammar point ～たきり (takiri) is used in Japanese to indicate that an action was completed and has not been done since, or that a certain state has persisted without change following that action. It carries a nuance of permanence or the lasting effect of the action.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

• Meaning:
  • The grammar form indicates that after a specific action has been completed, there has been no further action or change.
  • It often implies a sense of regret or disappointment that the expected follow-up action or change has not occurred.

Structure

• Formation:
  • Verb (past tense) + たきり Here's a breakdown of the formation:
  • Convert the verb to its past form (e.g., 行く→行った, 食べる→食べた).
  • Add きり to the past tense form of the verb.

Visual Aids

3. Comparative Analysis

Compared with Similar Grammar Points:

• ～たまま (たまま): This suggests something remains in a particular state but may not have the implication of action completion that たきり does.

  • Example: ドアを開けたまま (I left the door open).

• ～て以来 (ていらい): It indicates a period since a certain action was completed, with a focus on the ongoing state.

  • Example: 結婚して以来 (Since I got married).

Key Difference:

• While たきり emphasizes the lack of further action after a completed act, ていらい indicates the beginning of the period without specifying a lack of action.

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

1. Informal:

   • 昨日, 雨が降ったきり、今日は晴れていない。
     (Yesterday, it rained, and it hasn’t cleared up since.)

2. Formal:

   • 彼は大学卒業後、故郷へ帰ったきり、連絡がありません。
     (After he returned to his hometown after graduating from university, there has been no contact.)

3. Written Context:

   • 彼女は旅行に行ったきり、家に帰ってきていない。
     (She went on a trip and has not come home since.)

4. Spoken Context:

   • あの映画を見たきり、ずっとそのことを考えている。
     (Since I watched that movie, I’ve been thinking about it.)

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• The use of ～たきり can reflect Japanese social norms of maintaining relationships. If someone hasn’t contacted you since a specific event, it may carry a sense of disappointment or a feeling of loss in the relationship.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 何も言わずに去ったきり。
  (He left without saying anything.)

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

• Mistake: Confusing ～たきり with other similar constructs like て以来.
• Tip: Remember that たきり is about the absence of action after a certain point, while て以来 focuses more on the duration since that action.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device:
  • Think of the phrase "stopped after that" to remember that たきり denotes stopping or ceasing to proceed after the action.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• たきり indicates an action has occurred and not been repeated or changed since.
• It conveys feelings of regret or disappointment.
• Used mainly with the past forms of verbs.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you form the grammatical structure using ～たきり?
2. What is the difference between ～たきり and ～て以来?
3. Provide an example sentence using ～たきり.