Word
きちっと
Meaning in Englishexactly, perfectly
Sentence
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Word context
What it means
What does きちっと mean? It denotes doing something neatly, properly, and with exactness—executed with order and discipline. It conveys careful, slotted completion rather than casual or sloppy effort, often aligning with standards or expectations.
Main meanings
- neat arrangement of objects or completed work, reflecting care and attention to detail
- precision and reliability in performing actions, meeting expectations or standards
- manner of action expressed by the adverb, emphasizing punctuality or formal propriety
How to use it
Used in casual to semi-formal speech to describe how something is done—tidily, properly, or on schedule. Common with verbs meaning to organize, to perform, or to keep a promise, conveying disciplined execution in work, study, and daily life.
Variants and close terms
- きちんと (kichinto) — common standard form; same core meaning
- きちっと (kichitto) — emphasis on crisp, exact action
- きちんとした (kichinto shita) — adjectival form meaning proper or neat
- てきぱき (tekipaki) — related sense of brisk, efficient action
Etymology
Onomatopoeic formation that mirrors a crisp, deliberate action; a gitaigo-style adverb used to convey exactness and discipline in behavior.
Word class
adverb (副詞)