Entry
すっきり
sukkiri
Feeling refreshed, relieved, or appearing neat and clean without any lingering clutter.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes a state where worries or burdens have vanished, resulting in relief, or a physical space that is neat and free of excess. It also applies to a clear mind after resting, a clean aftertaste, and can mean completely in negative contexts.
- Mental relief
- Neat appearance
- Clear mind
- Completely
Sense Map
Refreshed & Relieved Feeling
Feeling free from mental burdens, worries, or stress, leaving the heart feeling light.
気分がすっきりする
Neat & Simple
A visual appearance, design, or room that is clean, tidy, and free of clutter.
部屋がすっきりした
Clear Mind & Clean Taste
A state of a clear mind without sleepiness, or the clean taste of food and drink without a heavy aftertaste.
頭がすっきりする
Completely (Vanished)
A complete action or total disappearance. Often used for forgetting something entirely or expressing lingering dissatisfaction in the negative form.
すっきり忘れる
Usage Note
How to Use
すっきりする
Used as a verb to express a change into a refreshed, relieved, or neat state.
すっきりした + noun
Acts as a modifier to describe a neat object, a simple design, or a clean taste.
すっきりと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe an action done neatly or thoroughly.
How to Use
Common Phrases
気分がすっきりする
to feel refreshed or relieved
頭がすっきりする
to have a clear mind
部屋がすっきりする
the room becomes neat
すっきりした味
clean taste
すっきり忘れる
to forget completely
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Feelings and Mind | Positive | Shows relief because a problem is solved, a burden is gone, or the mind is refreshed after resting. |
| Design and Spaces | Positive | Indicates a minimalist, clean, well-organized style that is not cluttered with unnecessary things. |
| Negative Usage (すっきりしない) | Negative | When used with a negative form, it means feeling unsatisfied, having lingering doubts, or a problem not being fully resolved. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
さっぱり さっぱり / similar | Used when feeling refreshed after washing off sweat, or for food that tastes light. | Focuses on the removal of stickiness or greasiness, whereas sukkiri is better for mental relief, spatial neatness, or a clear mind. | シャワーを浴びてさっぱりした。 |
くっきり くっきり / similar | Used to describe something that is visually very clear, like shapes, borders, or lines. | Only applies to visual sharpness. It does not carry the meaning of physical neatness, a clean aftertaste, or mental relief like sukkiri. | 富士山がくっきり見える。 |
こってり こってり / opposite | Used for food that is rich, heavy, thick, or greasy. | This is the opposite of a clean, light aftertaste. | こってりしたラーメン。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using sukkiri to describe a high-resolution photo or sharp screen.
Use kukkiri for visual sharpness. Sukkiri is used for an uncluttered appearance or a relieved feeling.
Using sukkiri as a compliment for bland, flavorless food.
A sukkiri taste means a pleasant, clean aftertaste that does not cloy, not a lack of flavor.
Examples
Examples
悩みが解決して、気分がすっきりした。
なやみが かいけつして、きぶんが すっきりした。
My worries are solved, and I feel relieved.
LiteralShows mental relief.
いらない家具を捨てたら、部屋がすっきりした。
いらない かぐを すてたら、へやが すっきりした。
After throwing away unnecessary furniture, the room became neat.
VisualFocuses on uncluttered space.
朝、コーヒーを飲むと頭がスッキリする。
あさ、コーヒーを のむと あたまが スッキリする。
My mind becomes clear when I drink coffee in the morning.
LiteralShows the disappearance of sleepiness.
甘すぎず、すっきりとした味の飲み物だ。
あますぎず、すっきりとした あじの のみものだ。
This is a drink with a clean taste that is not too sweet.
LiteralUsed for a light aftertaste.
彼の説明を聞いて、今までの疑問がすっきり消えた。
かれの せつめいを きいて、いままでの ぎもんが すっきり きえた。
After hearing his explanation, my previous doubts completely vanished.
FigurativeShows something disappearing completely.
Similar Words
くっきり
kukkiri
Different, used specifically for visual sharpness.
さっぱり
sappari
Describes a clean and unburdened state, such as feeling refreshed, having a light taste, or completely lacking something when used with a negative verb. Similar, but more focused on the removal of stickiness.
はっきり
hakkiri
Describes a state where something is clear, distinct, and unmistakable to the senses or the mind.
すっかり
sukkari
Indicates that a state has changed 100% or that an action has been carried out with absolutely nothing left behind.
こってり
kotteri
Describes a rich, heavy, or thick consistency, as well as an intense action like a severe scolding. Opposite for a clean taste.
Questions
Can I use sukkiri when cleaning my house?
Yes. When you remove unnecessary items and tidy up, you can say heya ga sukkiri shita to mean the room looks neat and uncluttered.
What does sukkiri shinai mean?
It means not feeling refreshed or feeling unsatisfied. It is often used when a problem is not fully solved and you still have lingering worries.
Is sukkiri different from sappari?
They are similar, but sappari often relates to physical cleanliness like washing off sweat or light-tasting food, while sukkiri strongly implies mental relief, clear thinking, or uncluttered spaces.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1006120
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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