Entry
ガクンガクン
gakungakun
Describes a repeated, sudden, and jarring movement, or a sudden repeated loss of physical resistance like knees buckling.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This gitaigo (mimetic word) illustrates a heavy, uncoordinated jerking motion. It is most commonly used to describe vehicles or machines operating with violent, repetitive jolts. It is also frequently used for the human body, specifically when joints like the knees or legs repeatedly buckle, give out, or shake violently due to extreme fatigue, tension, or fear.
- Repeated violent jerking or jolting of machines or vehicles.
- The physical sensation of knees or legs buckling and losing strength.
Sense Map
Mechanical Jolting
Used when a vehicle, machine, or heavy object moves with repeated violent jerks, often due to mechanical trouble or uneven terrain.
車がガクンガクン揺れる。
Physical Buckling
Used when joints, particularly knees or legs, suddenly lose strength, shake, or buckle repeatedly due to exhaustion or fear.
膝がガクンガクンする。
Usage Note
How to Use
ガクンガクンする
Functions as a verb meaning 'to jerk repeatedly' or 'to buckle.' It takes the subject experiencing the motion.
ガクンガクンと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying action verbs like 'shake' (揺れる) or 'move' (動く) to indicate the action happens with violent jolts.
ガクンガクン + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
ガクンガクン揺れる
to shake with violent jolts
ガクンガクン動く
to move jerkily
膝がガクンガクンする
knees buckle/give out
車がガクンガクンする
car jerks repeatedly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicular trouble | Negative | Implies a rough, uncomfortable ride, often suggesting an engine stalling or terrible road conditions. |
| Physical exhaustion | Neutral/Negative | Highlights extreme fatigue where the person can barely support their own weight. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がたがた がたがた / similar | Used for continuous, lighter rattling sounds or shaking. | ガクンガクン implies heavier, more sudden drops or severe jolts, while ガタガタ is more about the rattling of loose parts or continuous shivering. | 窓がガタガタ鳴る。 |
がくっ がくっ / similar | Used for a single, momentary sudden drop, joint popping, or sudden emotional disappointment. | ガクッ is a single event, whereas ガクンガクン implies the action happens repeatedly. | ガクッと膝をつく。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a phone vibrating.
Use ブーブー or ビリビリ instead. ガクンガクン implies a much larger, jarring physical movement.
Using it to mean 'disappointed' like ガクッ.
While ガクッ can mean disappointment, ガクンガクン is almost exclusively used for actual physical shaking or jolting.
Examples
Examples
車がガクンガクンと大きく揺れた。
車(くるま)がガクンガクンと大(おお)きく揺(ゆ)れた。
The car jolted violently repeatedly.
VisualShows a vehicle experiencing severe, repeated jolts, often due to bad roads.
疲労で膝がガクンガクンする。
疲労(ひろう)で膝(ひざ)がガクンガクンする。
My knees are buckling repeatedly from exhaustion.
LiteralDescribes joints losing strength due to reaching their physical limit.
古い洗濯機がガクンガクン動いている。
古(ふる)い洗濯機(せんたくき)がガクンガクン動(うご)いている。
The old washing machine is moving with violent jerks.
VisualDepicts a broken or struggling machine shaking violently and irregularly.
エンジンが止まりそうになって、車体がガクンガクンした。
エンジンが止(と)まりそうになって、車体(しゃたい)がガクンガクンした。
The engine almost stalled, and the car body jerked repeatedly.
VisualA classic use case for a vehicle experiencing engine trouble.
恐怖で足がガクンガクンと震えた。
恐怖(きょうふ)で足(あし)がガクンガクンと震(ふる)えた。
My legs shook and buckled violently out of fear.
FigurativeDepicts the loss of physical strength resulting from extreme emotion.
Similar Words
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. Used for rattling or shaking, not for heavy repeated jolts or buckling.
ガクッ
gaku
This word describes a sudden physical collapse, a sharp drop in numbers, or sudden deep disappointment. Used for a single, momentary sudden drop or jolt.
Questions
Can I use ガクンガクン for earthquakes?
Not usually. Earthquakes are better described with グラグラ (swaying) or ガタガタ (rattling). ガクンガクン implies more of an abrupt catch-and-release mechanical jolt.
What is the difference between ガクンガクン and ガクッ?
The length and repetition. ガクッ is a single, sharp drop or realization, while ガクンガクン describes multiple jolts in a row.
Can it describe teeth chattering from cold?
No. For teeth chattering or shivering from cold, use ガタガタ or ブルブル. ガクンガクン involves larger body parts like knees buckling.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2235850
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ガシッと (gashitto)
- Next entry
- けろっと (kerotto)