Entry
キレキレ
kirekire
Exceptionally sharp, fast, and agile movements or mental faculties.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A casual adjective or adverb describing movements, actions, or mental faculties that are exceptionally sharp, fast, precise, and highly skillful. It carries a strong positive connotation and is frequently used to praise dancing, athletic agility, or quick-witted retorts.
- physical agility (dancing, sports)
- mental sharpness (witty remarks)
Sense Map
Physical Agility
Movements that are exceptionally sharp, fast, and highly precise, often used to praise dancing or athletic performance.
キレキレのダンス
Mental Sharpness
Very quick, witty, and highly skillful responses or mental faculties, such as in comedy or sharp retorts.
ツッコミがキレキレだ
Usage Note
How to Use
キレキレの + noun
Used before a noun to describe that something (like a dance or performance) is highly agile or sharp.
キレキレだ
Used at the end of a sentence to assert that something is exceptionally sharp or precise.
キレッキレの + noun
キレッキレだ
How to Use
Common Phrases
キレキレのダンス
crisp and highly skilled dance
動きがキレキレだ
movements are exceptionally sharp
ツッコミがキレキレ
highly sharp retorts
キレキレのパフォーマンス
brilliant and sharp performance
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dance and Sports | Highly positive | Frequently used to praise someone who is in top form with exceptionally precise movements. |
| Comedy and Conversation | Positive and admiring | Indicates quick wit in responding or delivering jokes with perfect timing. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
しゃきしゃき しゃきしゃき / similar | Used for energetic and efficient movements when doing daily tasks, or the crisp texture of food. | Does not highlight high-level athletic skill, extreme precision, or bodily agility like in dancing. | しゃきしゃき働く |
ぎくしゃく ぎくしゃく / opposite | Used when movements look stiff, awkward, or unnatural. | This is the direct opposite of sharp and precise movements, describing a lack of fluidity and agility. | ギクシャク動く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to describe physically sharp objects like a knife or scissors.
Only use this for human movements, performances, or mental sharpness. For a sharp knife, use 鋭い (surudoi) or よく切れる (yoku kireru).
Using it simply to mean 'fast' for vehicles or machines.
This word highlights human skill, timing, and precision, not just the physical speed of an inanimate object.
Examples
Examples
彼のダンスはいつもキレキレだ。
かれのダンスはいつもキレキレだ。
His dancing is always so sharp and energetic.
VisualShows that his movements are very precise and fast.
彼女の動きがキレッキレで、見ていて気持ちがいい。
かのじょのうごきがキレッキレで、みていてきもちがいい。
Her movements are so crisp and precise, it's a pleasure to watch.
VisualThis variant adds emphasis on her agility.
今日のツッコミはキレキレですね！
きょうのツッコミはキレキレですね！
Your retorts are super sharp today!
FigurativeIndicates mental sharpness and good comedic timing.
キレキレのパフォーマンスで観客を魅了した。
キレキレのパフォーマンスでかんきゃくをみりょうした。
They captivated the audience with a brilliant, highly skillful performance.
VisualA strong praise for the overall quality of the performance.
試合での彼のパスはキレキレだった。
しあいでのかれのパスはキレキレだった。
His passes in the game were exceptionally sharp and precise.
VisualHighlights precision and speed in sports.
Similar Words
ギクシャク
gikushaku
Stiff and awkward movements, the opposite of agility.
しゃきしゃき
shakishaki
シャキシャキ describes the crisp texture of fresh, watery vegetables or the brisk, energetic actions of a person. Energetic and efficient movements, but doesn't imply high artistic precision like dancing.
スイスイ
suisui
Describes physical movement or abstract progress that occurs smoothly, swiftly, and without any obstacles.
Questions
Can I use キレキレ to describe a sharp knife?
No, this word is exclusively for agile movements or sharp thoughts. Use 鋭い (surudoi) for sharp objects.
Is this word suitable for formal situations?
No, it is a very casual slang word mostly used in informal conversations and entertainment media.
What is the difference between キレキレ and キレッキレ?
They mean exactly the same thing, but キレッキレ sounds much more enthusiastic and emphasizes the speaker's admiration.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2830583
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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