～きり (〜kiri)
Explanation
Expresses the idea of 'only', 'since', or 'after'.
Formation
Verb-past + きり, Verb-てform + きり (less common), Noun + きり
Detailed Explanation
The ～きり grammar point is used to express the idea of 'only', 'since', or 'after'. It indicates that a certain action or state continues without any change since a specific point in time or after a certain event. It is commonly used with verbs in the past tense, but can also be used with other forms.
Examples
彼は出かけたきり帰ってきません。
Kare wa dekaketa kiri kaette kimasen.
He went out and hasn't come back since.
昨日コーヒーを飲んだきり、何も飲まなかった。
Kinou koohii wo nonda kiri, nani mo nomanakatta.
I haven't had anything to drink since the coffee I had yesterday.
卒業したきり、彼女に会っていません。
Sotsugyou shita kiri, kanojo ni atte imasen.
I haven't seen her since we graduated.
その映画を見たきり、もう一度見たいと思っています。
Sono eiga wo mita kiri, mou ichido mitai to omotteimasu.
I've wanted to watch that movie again ever since I saw it.
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.