きっちり

きっちり
adverb
precisely; exactly; tightly
descriptive
1. precisely, exactly, punctually
With exactness and no room for error, especially regarding time, amounts, or measurements.
きっちり時間(じかん)を守(まも)る。
Keep time precisely.
代金(だいきん)をきっちり払(はら)った。
I paid the exact amount.
彼(かれ)はいつもきっちり五時(ごじ)に退社(たいしゃ)する。
He always leaves the office at exactly five o'clock.
2. tightly, snugly, neatly
Fitting closely with no gaps or looseness.
ふたがきっちり閉(し)まっている。
The lid is shut tight.
服(ふく)をきっちり畳(たた)んだ。
I folded the clothes neatly.
棚(たな)に本(ほん)がきっちり並(なら)んでいる。
The books are lined up neatly on the shelf.

きっちり emphasizes precision and leaving no room for error or gaps. It conveys thoroughness and meticulousness.

Common patterns

Similar words

  • きちんと: properly, neatly (broader — about doing things the right way)
  • ぴったり: exactly, perfectly fitting (often for size or match)
  • きっかり: exactly, precisely (numbers and time only)
  • ちゃんと: properly (more casual, often used with children)

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Neutral. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.

Related Words

Synonym: きちんと (properly, neatly)
Compare: ぴったり (exactly, perfectly fitting)
Compare: きっかり (exactly, precisely)
Compare: ちゃんと (properly)
Compare: きちんとする (to be neat)
general
Added 2026.2.6 9:35 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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