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~たきり・・・(ない)

~たきり・・・(ない)

Today’s Grammar Point:  ~たきり・・・(ない)

Today’s grammar point is ~たきり・・・(ない), which means that after the action of the たform verb is completed,the condition described in the second half of the sentence is continuing. So the latter half of the sentence has to be describing an ongoing condition or has a negative ending indicating “have never… since ~.” In conversations, sometimes people pronounce it with a small っ between ~た and きり (so ~たっきり…) to emphasise ~ was the last of it.

Connections

  • [たform verb] + きり…(ない)
    たform verb = past plain form verb

Examples

去年きょねん日本にほんったきり、ジョンさんから連絡れんらくがない。(Today’s caption)
Since he want to Japan last year, I haven’t heard from John.

今朝けさコーヒーを一杯いっぱいんだきり、なにべるひまがなかった。
Since having a cup of coffee this morning, I haven’t had a chance to eat anything.

先週せんしゅう電話でんわはなしたっきり、ははとは はなしていない。
Since we spoke on the phone last week, I haven’t talked to my mother.

あの作家さっかはデビューさくいたきり、 なにいていない。
That writer hasn’t written anything since he wrote his debut work.

ちち三年前さんねんまえたおれたきり、意識不明いしきふめいのままです。
My father collapsed three years ago and remains unconscious.

昨日きのうそのはなしいたっきり、そのことであたまがいっぱいだ。
Since I heard about it yesterday, I can’t think of anything else.

あのほんはジョンさんにしたきり、かえしてもらっていない。
I lent that book to John and I haven’t gotten it back.

運転免許うんてんめんきょったきり、一度いちどくるま運転うんてんしたことがない。
I have never driven a car after getting a driver’s license.

去年きょねんのパーティーでたきり、この着物きものていない。
I’ve never worn this kimono since I wore it at last year’s party.

Variations

あれっきり: since then, since that time
あれっきりあの人とはっていない。
That was the last time I saw him.

それっきり: since then
それっきりなん消息しょうそくもない。
There’s been no news of him since (then).

Answer to Today’s Question: a

a. I haven’t heard from John.
b. I had a fight with John.
c. I met up with John.
d. John rang me.

b. to d. are all one off action, so only a. can be used here.

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