〜きっての
kitte no
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
the most … in (a group); the number-one … of …
〜きっての picks out the top person or thing inside a group: 社内きっての切れ者 = "the sharpest person in the whole company". The noun before きっての is the group or place (会社・町・日本・業界); the noun after it is what the person or thing is famous for. It is almost always praise.
Slightly formal; used in both speech and writing, especially introductions, profiles, and journalism. Common groups: 社内・学内・町・村・日本・世界・業界・当代. Common following nouns: 切れ者・美人・名門・老舗・実力者・秀才.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
N (group / place) + きっての + N (person / thing)Typical: 社内きっての〜, 日本きっての〜, 業界きっての〜, 当代きっての〜
Visual diagram
- 社内the group
- きっての"the number-one … in"
- 切れ者what he is top at
Natural examples
彼は社内きっての切れ者だ。
かれはしゃないきってのきれものだ。
He is the sharpest mind in the company.
社内 (within the company) is the group; 切れ者 is the quality he tops.
あの店は町きっての老舗として知られている。
あのみせはまちきってのしにせとしてしられている。
That shop is known as the most established store in town.
町きっての老舗: the most established shop in the whole town.
彼女は日本きっての実力派女優だ。
かのじょはにほんきってのじつりょくはじょゆうだ。
She is one of the most accomplished actresses in Japan.
日本きっての + a profession describes a nationally top figure.
彼女は学内きっての秀才として、教授たちにも一目置かれている。
かのじょはがくないきってのしゅうさいとして、きょうじゅたちにもいちもくおかれている。
As the brightest student in the university, she is respected even by the professors.
きっての N + として is a common frame in profiles.
この温泉は、この地方きっての名湯だそうだ。
このおんせんは、このちほうきってのめいとうだそうだ。
I hear this hot spring is the finest in the region.
Works with places and things, not only people.
Similar grammar and the difference
"Something only X can offer" (unique quality). きっての ranks something as the top within a group, not as unique. Compare side by side
"When it comes to (a skill), nobody beats them". にかけては names the skill; きっての names the group. Compare side by side
"No one other than X" with a negative. きっての is a positive superlative label attached to a noun. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 彼は社内きっての怠け者だ。
- ✓
- 彼は社内で一番の怠け者だ。
- Why
- きっての is used for admirable qualities. For negative superlatives use 一番 or 随一の in an ironic tone.
- ✗
- 彼は切れ者きっての社内だ。
- ✓
- 彼は社内きっての切れ者だ。
- Why
- Order matters: group + きっての + the quality noun.
- ✗
- 彼は日本きって切れ者だ。
- ✓
- 彼は日本きっての切れ者だ。
- Why
- の is required; きっての functions like an adjective connecting to the following noun.
It comes from 切る ("to cut out from"): the person is "cut out" as the best of the group. The set feels journalistic: 当代きっての名優, 業界きっての論客. It usually modifies a noun directly; sentence-final use (〜は町きってだ) is not possible.
JLPT N1 tips
On the exam
- In 文法形式の判断, a group noun (社内・町・日本) followed by a positive noun of ability or fame signals きっての.
- Check the order: if the option would put the quality noun before きっての, it is wrong.
- Distractors are ならでは and にかけては; きっての is the only one that must be followed directly by a noun.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜きっての mean?
the most … in (a group); the number-one … of …. 〜きっての picks out the top person or thing inside a group: 社内きっての切れ者 = "the sharpest person in the whole company". The noun before きっての is the group or place (会社・町・日本・業界); the noun after it is what the person or thing is famous for. It is almost always praise.
How do you form 〜きっての?
N (group / place) + きっての + N (person / thing) / Typical: 社内きっての〜, 日本きっての〜, 業界きっての〜, 当代きっての〜. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜きっての used?
Slightly formal; used in both speech and writing, especially introductions, profiles, and journalism. Common groups: 社内・学内・町・村・日本・世界・業界・当代. Common following nouns: 切れ者・美人・名門・老舗・実力者・秀才.
What is the difference between 〜きっての and 〜ならでは(の)?
"Something only X can offer" (unique quality). きっての ranks something as the top within a group, not as unique.
What is the difference between 〜きっての and 〜にかけては?
"When it comes to (a skill), nobody beats them". にかけては names the skill; きっての names the group.
What is a common mistake with 〜きっての?
Wrong: 彼は社内きっての怠け者だ。 Right: 彼は社内で一番の怠け者だ。 きっての is used for admirable qualities. For negative superlatives use 一番 or 随一の in an ironic tone.
Quick check
あの人は業界（ ）論客として知られている。