Japanese word

めっきり

Pronunciation

Romajimekkiri

Meaning

  • adverbnoticeably

Example

今年はめっきり寒くなりました。kotoshi wa me kki ri samu ku na ri ma shi ta

It has become noticeably colder this year.

Illustration for めっきり (noticeably)

More examples

祖父は最近、めっきり耳が遠くなりました。so fu wa sai kin me kki ri mimi ga tō ku na ri ma shi ta

My grandfather has become noticeably hard of hearing recently.

Core concept

Marks a change as clearly noticeable compared with an earlier state, rather than merely describing a high degree.

Common phrases

  • めっきり老けるme kki ri fu ke ru

    age noticeably

  • めっきり弱るme kki ri yowa ru

    grow noticeably weaker

  • めっきり元気がなくなるme kki ri gen ki ga na ku na ru

    become noticeably less energetic

Similar words

著しくichijirushiku: Describes a change or difference that is very large and easy to recognize.
ますますmasumasu: Shows that a condition goes beyond its current level or state.
いっそうissō: Expresses a further increase in the degree or extent of a condition.

Definition in Japanese

以前と比べて、変化や差がはっきり感じられるさま。i zen to kura be te hen ka ya sa ga ha kki ri kan ji ra re ru sa ma

Word origin

The exact origin of めっきり (mekkiri) is uncertain, but it is established in modern Japanese as an adverb expressing a clearly noticeable change.

Usage tips

  • Unlike とても (totemo), which mainly marks a high degree, めっきり (mekkiri) highlights a change that has become evident over time.

Word lists with this word