きちんと[kichinto]: properly

July 24, 2020

It is an adverb that means "properly". It is used when describing situations in which something is done correctly/accurately or when describing socially/morally acceptable behavior.
"ちゃんと" is a colloquial equivalent for "きちんと".

My laptop doesn't seem to be working properly.
ラップトップがちゃんと(orきちんと)動いていないみたい。

If you're finished with your work, please leave your desk as you found it! You should keep your office tidy.
仕事が終わったら、机の上を元通りにして(*1)おいて下さい。仕事場はきちんと(orちゃんと)しておくべきです。
Meg is calling her colleague to explain the reason she will be late for their meeting.

  • Meg: I know we're supposed to have dinner at 7 p.m. but I don't think I can make it on time, so please start without me. Since I'm going on a business trip tomorrow, I have to finish all of my work and organize files properly.
    7時からの会食(*2)だけど、間に合いそうにないから、先に始めてね。明日から出張だから、全作業を終わらせ、きちんと(orちゃんと)ファイルも整理しなきゃ
  • Leo: All right. How late do you think you'll be?
    了解。どれくらい遅れそう?
  • Meg: I need to analyze some data and it needs to be very accurate. I also have a paper to write, so I'm going to be here for 3 more hours. It's 5 p.m. now, so I'll probably be there around 8.
    データをきちんと(orちゃんと)分析して、資料も作成しなきゃいけないから、あと3時間はかかる。今5時だから、8時頃には行けると思う。
  • Leo: Oh, why don't you ask Ken for a favor? He is really good at analyzing tons of data. He is a very reliable person.
    あっ、ケンに頼めば(or手伝ってもらえば)?データ分析、得意だよ。ケンはきちんと(orちゃんと)しているよ。

*1 元通りにする: It a common phrase that means to make something back to the original.
*2 会食: It is often used when you have a dinner with some people. It is interchangeable with "食事(会)", "飲み会" etc depending on the context.

-LESSON
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