Thanks for following us on Twitter! We hope you have been enjoying the mini lessons we’ve been updating everyday. Our next theme will be “Bikkuri Adverbs”!

Over the next couple of weeks we will introduce you to a new “Bikkuri Adverb” everyday on Twitter.

“Bikkuri Adverbs” are set of adverbs that are interesting because they follow a certain pattern: they are all four syllables, and they follow the pattern of [ syllable + small tsu + syllable + ri ], as in: 「__っ__り」, where syllables go into the two blanks. The name “Bikkuri Adverb” comes from Tim in Takamatsu, who decided to call them this “because bikkuri means ‘surprise’ and is itself a good example of one”. The Japanese language doesn’t actually have a name for these kinds of adverbs, despite the large number of them. Interesting!

Although these words are called adverbs, there are also many instances where they are used as adjectives or verbs. Many can be combined with the verb suru (する, “to do”) to create a verb phrase. Some people use the particle と (to) after certain words, but in many cases it is optional.

Click the link below to see a list of Bikkuri Adverbs thatwere introduced on Twitter!

1. びっくり surprise ⇒ びっくりする: to be surprised, びっくりさせる: to surprise someone/give some a scare

 2. きっぱり distinctly, flat out ⇒ きっぱり断る(ことわる): to flat out refuse, きっぱりやめる: to suddenly quit/go cold turkey

 3. のんびり laid-back, carefree ⇒ のんびりする: to relax/take it easy, のんびり進む(すすむ): to cruise

 4. ゆっくり slowly, at ease ⇒ ゆっくり話す(はなす):to talk slowly, ゆっくり休む(やすむ): to rest and relax

5. ぴったり exactly, just the right size ⇒ ぴったり合う(あう):to be a good fit, ぴったりの[noun]: Just the right [noun]

6. やっぱり after all, all in all ⇒ やっぱりね！: I knew it! I thought as much! Also known as やはり

7. がっかりdisappointed ⇒ がっかりする: to be disappointed, がっかりさせる: to let down, to disappoint [someone]

8. はっきり clear, point-blank ⇒はっきりさせる clarify/make clear はっきり言う say straight out/ lay it on the line

9. そっくり look-alike, spitting image ⇒私(わたし)は母(はは)にそっくりです = I look just like my mother.

10. じっくり thoroughly, critically ⇒じっくり考える(かんがえる): to think long and hard,じっくり見る(みる): observe carefully

11. こっそり secretly, stealthily ⇒こっそり入る(はいる): sneak into, こっそり持ち込む(もちこむ): to smuggle in

12. うっかり accidently, carelessly ⇒うっかりする: to slip up/make a slip, うっかり忘れる(わすれる): to carelessly forget

13. たっぷり plentiful, a lot ⇒ たっぷりの[noun]: a generous amoount of [noun],

14. すっきり refreshed ⇒ すっきりした！: I feel refreshed! That felt good!

If you aren’t already following us on Twitter, make sure that you follow us so that you can get access to these daily mini-Japanese lessons. You can always reply to us if you have any questions or comments about our Tweets! And as always, if you have any ideas for future vocabulary themes, please let us know!