SHIKKA-RI しっかり
Meanings
1. Describes a foundation, structure, or construction as solid, stable, and dependable.
2. Describes a person, judgment, or way of thinking as sensible, reliable, and trustworthy.
3. Describes the mind or body functioning soundly and normally.
4. Describes doing something sufficiently, properly, firmly, or thoroughly.
Examples
1. A solid foundation.
しっかりした土台。
1. That company has a sound financial base.
あの会社は、財政基盤がしっかりしている。
2. My younger sister is mature for her age and sensible enough to save money.
妹は若いのに考え方がしっかりしていて、貯金をしている。
3. Don’t pass out here. Stay with me and keep your head clear.
こんなところで酔い潰れてるんじゃないよ。気をしっかり持て。
4. Eating proper meals morning, noon, and night is one of the keys to good health.
朝昼晩、食事をしっかり摂るのが健康の秘訣だ。
4. I wish I had studied English properly when I was a student.
学生時代に、英語をしっかり勉強しておけばよかった。
Dogmatic Opinion
SHIKKA-RI is often rather subjective.
It tends to evaluate something against a desirable standard: stable, sensible, dependable, sufficiently done, properly functioning. What exactly counts as SHIKKA-RI therefore depends heavily on what the speaker thinks ought to be done or ought to be true.
Politicians frequently use SHIKKA-RI in speeches—“we will SHIKKA-RI address this,” “we will SHIKKA-RI proceed”—even when the word adds almost no concrete information.
That breadth is part of the difficulty of the word. One expression can cover physical stability, personal reliability, proper action, mental alertness, and thoroughness.
Proximate Expression
stable
reliable
firmness
have it together
Related Words
For Japanese Learners
SHIKKA-RI has no single English equivalent. “しっかり握る” is hold firmly; “しっかり勉強する” can be study hard or study properly; “しっかりした人” is a reliable, sensible, or dependable person. “しっかりして！” may be Pull yourself together!, Stay with me!, or Get a grip!, depending on the situation. Translate the standard being evaluated, not the sound itself.
