きり

The word きり has two main usages: expressing "only / just" (a limited amount) and expressing "since (doing something, nothing has changed)". It can also be written as っきり in casual speech.

"Only" / "Just" – Limited quantity

When attached to a noun or counter, きり indicates that there is nothing more than the stated amount. It emphasizes smallness or exclusivity, similar to だけ but often with a stronger sense of limitation.

In this usage, きり often conveys that the amount is all there is – nothing beyond it exists or is expected.

"Since doing ~" – An action with no follow-up

When attached to a verb in the た-form, きり expresses that after something happened, the expected continuation or reversal never occurred. The resulting situation remains unchanged. The second clause is typically negative.

This pattern emphasizes that something is left unresolved or that a situation has persisted unchanged since the action took place.

っきり

In casual speech, きり is often pronounced and written as っきり.