完璧(かんぺき)

完璧(かんぺき) describes something that has absolutely no flaws or deficiencies. It is a na-adjective that can also function as a noun.

Usage

• 完璧(かんぺき)な + noun: a perfect ~
• 完璧(かんぺき)に + verb: perfectly
• 完璧(かんぺき)だ: is perfect

Common collocations

• 完璧(かんぺき)を求(もと)める: to seek perfection
• 完璧(かんぺき)に仕上(しあ)げる: to finish to perfection
• 完璧(かんぺき)な状態(じょうたい): perfect condition

Similar words

• 完全(かんぜん): complete, entire — emphasizes completeness rather than flawlessness
• パーフェクト: loanword used more casually, especially in sports and games

Etymology

The kanji 璧(へき) means "jade disc." The word originally referred to a flawless jade disc returned intact (from a Chinese historical anecdote).

Watch out

The second kanji is 璧(へき) (jade disc, with 玉 at the bottom), not 壁(かべ) (wall, with 土). 完壁 is a common miswriting.