KUKKI-RI くっきり
Meanings
Describes a boundary, outline, color, pattern, or other feature standing out clearly and vividly from its surroundings.
Examples
After I had my glasses adjusted, the letters came into sharp focus.
メガネを調整したら、文字がくっきり見えるようになった。
She has striking, well-defined eyebrows.
くっきり眉毛の作り方
As the investigation progressed, a clear picture of the culprit began to emerge.
捜査を進めていくうちに、犯人像がくっきりと浮かび上がってきた。
Dogmatic Opinion
The opposite of KUKKI-RI is something blurred, hazy, or indistinct.
KUKKI-RI draws attention especially to an outline or line that seems to emerge clearly from its surroundings. It is close to HAKKI-RI, but KUKKI-RI is particularly natural when the distinction is visual—an edge, contrast, silhouette, lettering, color, or pattern becoming sharply visible.
Proximate Expression
distinctly
clearly
conspicuous
prominent
Related Words
For Japanese Learners
Clearly, sharply, distinctly, vivid, and well-defined are common translations. “山の稜線がくっきり見える” can be “The mountain ridge is clearly visible” or “The mountain ridge stands out sharply.” HAKKI-RI is broader; KUKKI-RI has a particularly strong visual-outline or contrast nuance.
