The Meaning of pittari [ぴったり] In Japanese

ぴったり
ぴったり
Romaji: pittari N5

What does ぴったり mean?

Translation and Meaning

exactly, perfectly, snugly, a perfect fit

Definition

What does ぴったり mean? It means exactly fitting or perfectly aligned. It describes a precise match or snug fit, either physically (clothes or objects) or conceptually (timing or suitability), conveying exactness and appropriateness in measurement or alignment.

Type

adverb, mimetic word (擬態語)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Exactly or precisely in size, shape, or timing; describes a perfect fit or exact match.
  • Something that fits snugly or tightly without gaps; implies closeness or accuracy in alignment.
  • Used to express suitability or appropriateness for a situation or purpose, often with a sense of being ideal.
  • As an adverb, means exactly or spot-on, emphasizing precision in action or result.

Etymology

mimetics from ぴたり, a gitaigo indicating exact fit or something snapping into place; the small っ heightens abruptness and precision, yielding the intensive form ぴったり.

Usage

Used in everyday conversation and writing, in both casual and neutral contexts. It describes physical fit (clothing, objects), timing (arriving on time, synchronization), and suitability (decisions or plans), and commonly appears with verbs like 合う or in predicative constructions such as だ/です to state a perfect state.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a key snapping perfectly into a lock — pittari evokes a precise, unambiguous fit. The repeated consonant cluster signals tightness and exactness, helping you recall that the word conveys perfect alignment.

Variations

  • ちょうどいい choudo ii — just right; exactly suitable
  • ぴったりと pittari to — with a sense of perfect fitting or alignment
  • ずれる zureru — to be off, not aligned

Example Phrases

  • 新しい 靴 が 私の 足 に ぴったり だ。
    atarashii kutsu ga watashi no ashi ni pittari da
    The new shoes fit my foot perfectly.
    Lista:
    • 新しい (atarashii) – new
    • 靴 (kutsu) – shoes
    • が (ga) – subject particle
    • 私の (watashi no) – my
    • 足 (ashi) – foot
    • に (ni) – to
    • ぴったり (pittari) – perfectly; a perfect fit
    • だ (da) – is
    The word 「ぴったり」 means ‘perfect fit’; in this sentence it describes the shoes fitting my foot exactly, using the pattern X が Y に ぴったりだ.
ぴったり