そっくり

• Reading: そっくり
• Romaji: sokkuri
• Pronunciation: /sok.kɯ.ɾi/

Meaning

The spitting image of; exactly alike. Also means entirely or completely when referring to amounts or transfers.

An adverb and na-adjective with two distinct uses. When describing resemblance, it means strikingly similar: 母親にそっくりだ (looks just like her mother). When describing completeness, it means 'entirely' or 'the whole thing': そっくりそのまま返す (return the whole thing as is). Often emphasised with まるで: まるでそっくり (absolutely identical).

Examples

1. この子はお父さんにそっくりですね。 This kid looks just like their dad, don't they?
2. 彼は兄の話し方にそっくりだ。 He talks exactly like his older brother.
3. もらったお金をそっくり貯金した。 I put all the money I received straight into savings.

Usage Guide

Context: family, daily life, description

Tone: impressed

Origin & History

A mimetic word from the Edo period. The そっ sound evokes the idea of something slipping into place perfectly, suggesting an exact match or complete transfer.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal