What does “kanpeki” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “kanpeki” often to mean ‘perfection’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain this word in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I will explain how to use it through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners understand “kanpeki” more clearly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
Definition and meaning of “kanpeki”
Let me start with the definition and meaning of “kanpeki”.
- kanpeki – 完璧 (かんぺき) : a noun meaning ‘perfection’ in Japanese.
Native speakers use this noun often to mean ‘perfection’ in Japanese. In addition, they sometimes use this like an adjective to mean ‘perfect’ especially in speaking.
The definition and meanings are simple and clear. To understand this noun more clearly, however, let me explain its kanji characters in detail, one by one.
What does “kanpeki” literally mean in Japanese?
The kanji expression of “kanpeki” consists of the following two kanji characters:
- 完 : a kanji character used to mean ‘perfect’ in Japanese.
- 璧 : a kanji character used to mean ‘jewel’ or ‘gem’ in Japanese.
These two kanji characters tell us that “kanpeki” literally means a ‘perfect jewel’ in Japanese. This literal interpretation is not completely in line with the actual meaning, but represents well the history. People in the past referred to perfection by saying “like a perfect jewel”. Seemingly, this idea originally came from China.
When we meet new kanji expressions, we should check their kanji characters in detail to understand their meanings clearly and deeply. In many cases, kanji characters tell us a lot about the meanings of the expressions they form. Actually, here, we could get the better understanding of “kanpeki” through the detailed kanji check above.
So far, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of “kanpeki” together with its kanji characters. Then, let me explain how to use it through the example sentences below.
Example #1: how to say “perfection” in Japanese
boku tachi wa kanpeki wo mezasu – 僕達は完璧を目指す (ぼくたちはかんぺきをめざす)
We aim for perfection.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
- tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “boku” to make its plural form, “boku tachi”, which means ‘we’ in Japanese. Learn more about Japanese plural.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “boku tachi” to make the subject in the sentence.
- wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “kanpeki” to make the object in the sentence.
- mezasu – 目指す (めざす) : a verb meaning ‘to aim’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “kanpeki”. In this example, it works together with the case particle, “wo”, to become the object in the sentence.
Example #2: another usage of “kanpeki”
「kanpeki」 to kanojo ga it ta – 「完璧」と彼女が言った (「かんぺき」とかのじょがいった)
“Perfect,” she said.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- to – と : a case particle working as a quote marker. In the example, this works after the clause to indicate what she said.
- kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
- ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “kanojo” to make the subject in the sentence.
- it – 言っ (いっ) : one conjugation of the verb, “iu“, which means ‘to say’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. In the example, this is used after “it” to make its past tense form, “it ta”.
This is another typical usage of “kanpeki”. Again, but it can work like an adjective to mean ‘perfect’ especially in speaking.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of “kanpeki” in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I’ve explained how to use it through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- kanpeki – 完璧 (かんぺき) : a noun meaning ‘perfection’ in Japanese. Native speakers use this noun often to mean ‘perfection’ in Japanese. In addition, they sometimes use this like an adjective to mean ‘perfect’ especially in speaking. These two kanji characters literally mean a ‘perfect jewel’ in Japanese. This literal interpretation is not completely in line with the actual meaning, but represents well its history. People in the past referred to perfection by saying “like a perfect jewel”. Seemingly, this idea originally came from China.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
