JLPT N3 grammar
〜きる / 〜きれない — Meaning & Examples
Do completely, to the limit: 食べきる = eat it all, 言いきる = declare flatly. Negative 〜きれない = can't finish: 食べきれない, 数えきれない.
〜きる and 〜かける
〜きる = do it completely, to the very end or limit.
このケーキを一人で食べきった。
= I ate the whole cake by myself.
マラソンを走りきりました。
= I ran the whole marathon (to the finish).
お金を使いきってしまった。
= I used up all my money.
〜きる also means "assert absolutely":
彼は「必ず勝つ」と言いきった。
= He declared flatly, "We will definitely win."
Negative form 〜きれない = can't finish / too much to:
多すぎて食べきれません。
= There's too much — I can't finish it.
数えきれないほどの星。
= More stars than can be counted.
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〜かける = started but not finished — interrupted or incomplete.
読みかけの本 = a book I've started (and not finished)
食べかけのりんご = a half-eaten apple 🍎
何か言いかけて、やめた。
= He started to say something, then stopped.
Careful — 〜かける has a second, unrelated meaning: "do TO someone."
話しかける = to speak to someone
声をかける = to call out to someone
Context separates them easily, but do not assume 〜かける always means "half-done."
Practice questions
Try this question on 〜きる / 〜きれない. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. このケーキを一人で食べきった means?
- I could not finish the cake
- I ate the whole cake by myself
- I started eating the cake
- I shared the cake
Show answer
Answer: I ate the whole cake by myself
〜きる = do it completely, to the very end. 食べきる = eat all of it.
Practise 〜きる / 〜きれない in the free app
This point is part of the “🔧 Compound Verbs — 〜出す・〜続ける・〜きる・〜かける” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N3 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N3 grammar points
From the same lesson: 🔧 Compound Verbs — 〜出す・〜続ける・〜きる・〜かける
- 〜出す vs 〜始める出す = sudden, uncontrolled burst (泣き出す = burst into tears).
- 〜かけるStarted but unfinished: 読みかけの本 = a half-read book.
- 〜直すRedo properly: 書き直す (rewrite), やり直す (redo), 考え直す (reconsider), 出直す (come back later).
- 〜合うDo mutually: 話し合う (discuss), 助け合う (help each other), 知り合う (get acquainted → 知り合い = acquai…
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜きる / 〜きれない mean?
Do completely, to the limit: 食べきる = eat it all, 言いきる = declare flatly. Negative 〜きれない = can't finish: 食べきれない, 数えきれない.
Is 〜きる / 〜きれない on the JLPT N3 test?
〜きる / 〜きれない is taught in the JLPT N3 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “🔧 Compound Verbs — 〜出す・〜続ける・〜きる・〜かける”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜きる / 〜きれない?
Open the “🔧 Compound Verbs — 〜出す・〜続ける・〜きる・〜かける” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N3 mock exams, with no ads.