Entry
ちょっきり
chokkiri
A colloquial term meaning perfectly exact with no remainder, often applied to money or time, or the sharp sound of snipping.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ちょっきり describes a state of being perfectly exact without any excess or shortage, predominantly used in colloquial Japanese for exact amounts of money (exact change) or precise times. It also functions as an onomatopoeia for the light, sharp sound of cutting something with scissors.
- perfectly exact amount
- sharp snipping sound
Sense Map
Exact Amount / Time
Being perfectly exact, without any excess or shortage, often used for money or time.
1000円ちょっきり払う。
Snipping Sound
The light, sharp sound of cutting something with scissors, like paper or string.
紙をちょっきり切る。
Usage Note
How to Use
Noun + ちょっきり
Used directly after a noun expressing a quantity, amount of money, or time to mean exactly that amount.
ちょっきりに + Verb
Used to describe performing an action at a precise time or dividing something into exact portions.
How to Use
Common Phrases
1000円ちょっきり
exactly 1000 yen
3時ちょっきり
exactly 3 o'clock
ちょっきりに分ける
divide perfectly evenly
ちょっきり切る
snip off
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Paying at a store | neutral | Frequently used when handing over exact change to emphasize no change is needed. |
| Cutting with scissors | neutral | Evokes the light sound of snipping something relatively thin, like thread or paper. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴったり ぴったり / similar | When talking about physical fit, perfect matching, or exact alignment, rather than just amounts. | ちょっきり focuses heavily on exact numerical amounts or times (no change, no seconds off), while ぴったり is broader and widely used for clothing fit. | サイズがぴったりだ。 |
きっかり きっかり / similar | When emphasizing punctuality or exactness in a slightly more formal or objective tone, often for time or numbers. | ちょっきり is more colloquial and sounds casual, whereas きっかり is often used in strict scheduling or slightly more formal contexts. | 3時きっかりに出発する。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for clothes fitting exactly.
Use ぴったり for physical fit; ちょっきり is mainly for numerical amounts like time or money.
Using it in formal business writing.
ちょっきり is casual. Use きっかり or 正確に in formal contexts.
Examples
Examples
千円ちょっきりで足りました。
せんえんちょっきりでたりました。
One thousand yen was exactly enough.
LiteralUsed for exact money amounts.
時計が12時ちょっきりを指している。
とけいがじゅうにじちょっきりをさしている。
The clock is pointing to exactly 12 o'clock.
LiteralUsed for precise time.
紙をはさみでちょっきりと切る。
かみをはさみでちょっきりときる。
Snip the paper with scissors.
VisualRepresents the sound of snipping.
割り勘したら、一人二千円ちょっきりになった。
わりかんしたら、ひとりにせんえんちょっきりになった。
When we split the bill, it came to exactly 2000 yen per person.
LiteralEmphasizes that the division had no remainder.
糸をちょっきり切って結び目を作った。
いとをちょっきりきってむすびめをつくった。
I snipped the thread and made a knot.
VisualA sharp, definitive cut.
Similar Words
ぴったり
pittari
Describes things that fit perfectly, match exactly, or an action that stops completely. Used more broadly for physical fit or exact matches in predictions.
きっかり
kikkari
A word indicating an exact amount or point in time with no deviation or surplus. A slightly more formal variant used for precise scheduling or strict numbers.
きっちり
kicchiri
Describes a state where something is exact, fits perfectly without looseness, or is done thoroughly and properly.
Questions
Is ちょっきり formal or casual?
It is very colloquial and casual. Avoid using it in formal business emails.
Can I use ちょっきり for clothes that fit perfectly?
No, you should use ぴったり for physical fit. ちょっきり is for exact numbers, amounts, or time.
Does ちょっきり mean the same as ちょうど?
They are very similar when referring to exact amounts, but ちょっきり has a slightly more casual, emphatic sound.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2454210
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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