Entry
ガクガク
gakugaku
Describes heavy physical trembling or objects shaking and wobbling because they are loose.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term is used when the body shakes uncontrollably due to intense fear, extreme cold, or physical exhaustion. It also describes mechanical parts or furniture that have become loose and unstable, causing them to wobble.
- Physical trembling of limbs or teeth due to emotion or temperature.
- Mechanical instability or wobbling of loose objects.
Sense Map
Physical Trembling
Uncontrollable shaking of the body caused by fear, cold, or muscle fatigue.
Knees shaking after a long hike.
Mechanical Wobble
The unstable movement of an object or joint that has come loose.
A wobbly chair leg with a loose screw.
Usage Note
How to Use
ガクガクする
Used as a verb to state that a person or object is currently trembling or wobbling.
ガクガクした + noun
Modifies a noun to describe its unstable or shaky state.
ガクガクと + verb
An adverbial phrase describing how an action (like shivering or moving) occurs.
How to Use
Common Phrases
膝がガクガクする
Knees shaking (from fear or fatigue).
歯がガクガクいう
Teeth chattering (from cold).
机がガクガクする
The desk is wobbling.
ガクガク震える
Trembling violently.
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Body/Health | negative | Indicates weakness, exhaustion, or unpleasant fear. |
| Objects | negative | Suggests something is broken, old, or poorly maintained. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぶるぶる ぶるぶる / similar | For fine shivering or vibrating, like a slight chill. | Gakugaku is for larger, jerkier movements or feeling like joints are coming apart. | 寒さでぶるぶる震える (Shivering from the cold). |
がたがた がたがた / similar | When the shaking causes a loud rattling noise. | Gakugaku focuses on the instability, while Gatagata focuses on the noise produced. | 窓がガタガタ鳴る (Windows rattling noisily). |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using Gakugaku for a vibrating phone.
Use 'buruburu' instead. Gakugaku implies a larger, manual wobble.
Thinking it only applies to humans.
It is frequently used for machines, furniture, and any mechanical joint that is loose.
Examples
Examples
怖い映画を見て、膝がガクガクした。
こわいえいがをみて、ひざがガクガクした。
My knees were shaking after watching a scary movie.
VisualDescribes knees trembling due to fear.
山登りの後で、足がガクガクして歩けない。
やまのぼりのあとで、あしがガクガクしてあるけない。
After mountain climbing, my legs are shaking so much I can't walk.
LiteralTrembling due to extreme muscle fatigue.
あまりの寒さに、奥歯がガクガクと鳴った。
あまりのさむさに、おくばがガクガクとなった。
Because it was so cold, my back teeth chattered.
LiteralDescribes teeth clashing together from the cold.
この椅子は足が一本ゆるんでいて、ガクガクする。
このいすはあしがいっぽんゆるんでいて、ガクガクする。
One of the legs of this chair is loose, so it's wobbly.
LiteralWobbling due to an unsecure joint.
怒りで体全体がガクガクと震え出した。
いかりでからだぜんたいがガクガクとふるえだした。
My whole body began to tremble violently with rage.
FigurativeTrembling caused by overwhelming emotion.
Similar Words
ぶるぶる
buruburu
This word describes a continuous, rapid trembling or shivering of the body or an object, usually due to cold, fear, or mechanical vibration. Finer vibrations or light shivering.
ガタガタ
gatagata
A word describing a loud rattling sound of hard objects, violent physical shivering, or a state of being shaky and unstable. Shaking accompanied by rattling noises.
Questions
Can Gakugaku be used for a earthquake?
Usually 'yura-yura' or 'gura-gura' is used for the swaying of a building, but Gakugaku might describe a person's knees during the fear of an earthquake.
Is it the same as 'shaking' in English?
It is a specific type of shaking that feels jerky or unstable, like a loose wheel or legs that can't support weight.
Is Gakugaku formal?
It is descriptive and informal/neutral. You wouldn't use it in a formal medical report, but it's fine in daily conversation.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1003080
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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