Entry
ガクンと
gakunto
Describes a sudden, sharp drop, a physical jerk, or a steep decline.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word used to describe a sudden jolt, a sharp and noticeable drop in measurable things like grades, temperature, or sales, as well as a sudden loss of physical or mental energy.
- Sudden physical jerk
- Sharp decline in numbers
- Sudden loss of energy
Sense Map
Physical Jerk or Jolt
A sudden physical movement, such as a vehicle jolting to a stop or knees suddenly giving way.
車がガクンと止まった。
Sharp Decline
A sudden and steep drop in quantity, level, or performance.
気温がガクンと下がった。
Loss of Energy
A sudden loss of stamina, motivation, or physical strength.
体力がガクンと落ちた。
Usage Note
How to Use
ガクンと + Verb
Directly modifies verbs that mean to drop, decrease, or fall, emphasizing the suddenness and sharpness of the change.
ガクンとくる
Used as a set phrase meaning to be hit suddenly by something, like sudden fatigue or a shock.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ガクンと落ちる
drop sharply
ガクンと下がる
fall suddenly
ガクンと減る
decrease drastically
ガクンとくる
hit suddenly or feel a sudden shock
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing statistics or levels (e.g., temperature, test scores) | neutral | Emphasizes that the drop is extremely sharp and immediately noticeable. |
| Describing physical or mental energy | negative | Portrays a sudden feeling of weakness, fatigue, or shock taking a toll on the body. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐっと ぐっと / contrast | Used for a sudden, strong pull, effort, or a significant positive change. | Unlike ガクンと, which implies a negative drop or loss of tension, ぐっと implies added tension or upward momentum. | ぐっと引っ張る |
がくり がくり / similar | Used for a sudden drop or loss of strength, often emphasizing the resulting state of weakness. | Very similar, but がくり places slightly more focus on the weak state that follows, whereas ガクンと focuses on the sharp action of the drop itself. | がくりと膝をつく |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ガクンと to describe a sudden increase in something good, like sales going up.
ガクンと is only used for drops, declines, or loss of energy.
Using it to describe the loud sound of a heavy object hitting the floor.
It describes the motion or the abstract decline, not the impact sound itself. Use words like ドスン for heavy impact sounds.
Examples
Examples
売上がガクンと減った。
うりあげがガクンとへった。
Sales decreased sharply.
VisualUsed to show a sharp, sudden drop in sales.
成績がガクンと下がった。
せいせきがガクンとさがった。
My grades dropped suddenly.
FigurativeDescribes a noticeable and sudden decline in academic performance.
車がガクンと止まった。
くるまがガクンととまった。
The car stopped with a sudden jerk.
LiteralDescribes the strong physical jolt when a vehicle stops abruptly.
膝がガクンと折れた。
ひざがガクンとおれた。
My knees suddenly gave way.
LiteralUsed when the legs suddenly lose strength and bend.
疲れで体力がガクンと落ちた。
つかれでたいりょくがガクンとおちた。
My physical strength dropped suddenly due to fatigue.
FigurativeDescribes the sudden feeling of losing one's stamina.
Similar Words
がくり
gakuri
Very similar, but gakuri emphasizes the weak state that follows.
ぐっと
gutto
Describes a sudden, forceful exertion or a significant jump in degree or emotional impact. Used for a sudden, strong pull or effort, contrasting with the loss of tension in gakunto.
がたん
gatan
A word describing the heavy sound of an object bumping, a mechanical jolt, or a sudden sharp decline.
Questions
Can I use ガクンと for prices going down?
Yes, you can say 値段がガクンと下がった to mean prices dropped suddenly and significantly.
Is ガクンと formal or casual?
It is slightly casual but completely acceptable in everyday conversation and standard writing to describe sharp declines.
What is the difference between ガクンと and 急に?
急に means suddenly in a general sense. ガクンと specifically implies a sudden downward motion, drop, or loss.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2007730
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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