Japanese meaning of ギリギリ
Reading:
ぎりぎり (girigiri)
English Translation:
just barely, at the last moment
Scene & Cultural Context
Cultural Context:
Common in exams, deadlines, competitions, or dangerous situations in manga/anime.
試験や締切、ギリギリセーフ、スポーツ・バトル漫画の勝負で頻出。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
Used as an adverb: "ギリギリで間に合った" (“I barely made it”).
Trap for English Speakers
Not "gritty" or "giddy."
Example
Basic Example
ギリギリで終電に間に合った。
I barely caught the last train.
Applied Example
ギリギリセーフだった。
It was just barely safe.