Pittari is a Japanese word for ‘just right’, explained

What does “pittari” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers use pittari often to mean ‘just right’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I’m explaining this word in detail together with example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners understand pittari more clearly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings of “pittari”
  • How to say “perfectly” in Japanese
  • Another example of “pittari”
• Summary

Definition and meanings of “pittari”

Let me start with the definition and meanings of pittari.

• pittari – ぴったり : an adverb meaning ‘just right’, ‘exactly’, ‘perfectly’, or such in Japanese.

Native speakers use this adverb, for example, when something suits something else perfectly, when something is suitable for something else, when something happens just on time, or when something is inseparable.

The definition and meanings are not that difficult, I think. Then, let me explain how to use this adverb through the example sentences below.

How to say “perfectly” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kono – この : a determiner used before a noun which refers to something close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before uwagi to mean ‘this jacket’ in Japanese.
• uwagi – 上着 (うわぎ) : a noun meaning a ‘jacket’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
• 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 kono uwagi to make the subject in the sentence.
• kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
• ni – に : a case particle used to say in which direction an action goes. In the example, this is used after kanojo to say whom the jacket suits perfectly.
• ai – 合い (あい) : one conjugation of the verb, au, which means ‘to suit’ or such in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form. In the example, this is used after ai to make it sound polite.

This is a typical usage of pittari. In this example, it works in front of the masu formed verb, ai masu, to add the meaning of ‘perfectly’ in Japanese.

Another example of “pittari”

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after watashi to make the subject in the sentence.
• ku – 九 (く) : a numeral meaning ‘nine’ in Japanese.
• ji – 時 (じ) : a suffix used after a numeral to add the meaning of ‘o’clock’ in Japanese.
• ni – に : a case particle often used to say how someone does something. In the example, this is used after pittari to mean ‘exactly’ in Japanese.
• koko – ここ : a pronoun used to refer to a place close to the speaker.
• ni – に : a case particle used to say where someone or something comes. In the example, this is used after koko to say where the speaker came.
• ki – 来 (き) : one conjugation of the verb, kuru, which means ‘to come’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.

This is another example of pittari. In this example, it works together with the case particle, ni, and means ‘exactly’ in Japanese. Native speakers sometimes use this combination in conversations. So, it’s worth knowing.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of pittari together with the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• pittari – ぴったり : an adverb meaning ‘just right’, ‘exactly’, ‘perfectly’, or such in Japanese. Native speakers use this adverb, for example, when something suits something else perfectly, when something is suitable for something else, when something happens just on time, or when something is inseparable.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.