ちゃんと・きちんと・しっかり

About

ちゃんと, きちんと, and しっかり are all adverbs that have similar meanings but differ in nuance.

ちゃんと means "properly", "suitable", or "appropriate" depending on context.

E.g. ちゃんと箸はしを使つかって！ "Use your chopsticks/use your chopsticks properly!"

きちんと is similar to ちゃんと but puts more emphasis on the details of something.

E.g. マイクは、毎日まいにちきちんと日記にっきを書かいています。 "Mike is keeping a detailed diary every day."

しっかり can also mean "properly" but is often used physically to mean "tightly", and can also describe something or someone who is dependable.

E.g. しっかり持もってね！ "Hold it tightly!"

Summary

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  ちゃんと, きちんと, and しっかり are adverbs

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  ちゃんと, きちんと, and しっかり have similar meanings but differ in nuance