Entry
がくり
gakuri
This word describes a sudden, sharp downward movement caused by an abrupt loss of physical strength or tension.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word that expresses a sudden, involuntary loss of physical tension or support. It usually describes a specific body part, like the knees or the head, yielding or dropping abruptly due to exhaustion, sleepiness, or disappointment.
- losing strength in the legs
- head dropping from sleep
- slumping shoulders in disappointment
Sense Map
Loss of Strength (Legs/Body)
Describes legs or knees suddenly giving way because of exhaustion, shock, or loss of balance.
膝ががくりと折れる。
Head Dropping
Describes a sharp downward tilt of the head, typically when someone is dozing off.
首ががくりと下がる。
Dropping Shoulders (Disappointment)
Describes the physical reaction of slumping one's shoulders when feeling suddenly disappointed or discouraged.
がくりと肩を落とす。
Usage Note
How to Use
がくりと + verb
Used before verbs like drop, bend, or fall to show the sudden nature of the action.
がくりと + 肩を落とす / 膝をつく
A common fixed phrase pattern used with body parts like shoulders or knees to indicate yielding.
How to Use
Common Phrases
がくりと膝をつく
to suddenly fall to one's knees
首ががくりと倒れる
one's head suddenly jerks forward
がくりと肩を落とす
to drop one's shoulders in disappointment
力ががくりと抜ける
strength suddenly drains away
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical fatigue | Neutral to negative | Highlights the exact moment the body loses its capacity to support its own weight. |
| Emotional shock or disappointment | Negative | Often paired with shoulders (肩, kata) to visually represent a sudden loss of hope or energy. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がくんと がくんと / similar | Used when there is a sharp mechanical jerk, or a dramatic drop in numbers or levels. | Does not solely focus on the loss of physical tension; it has a stronger, heavier impact or numerical focus. | 成績がガクンと下がる。 |
がったり がったり / similar | Used when completely exhausted and collapsing, unable to move at all. | Implies a total physical crash or profound exhaustion rather than just a sudden buckling of the knees or neck. | 疲れてがったりと横になる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using がくり for intentional actions like putting a bag down.
がくり implies an involuntary, uncontrolled yielding or loss of tension.
Using がくり for a sudden drop in temperature or prices.
For numbers or levels, ガクンと (gakunto) is more appropriate.
Examples
Examples
マラソンを完走した直後、足の力が抜けてがくりと膝をついた。
マラソンを かんそうした ちょくご、 あしの ちからが ぬけて がくりと ひざを ついた。
Right after finishing the marathon, the strength left my legs and I suddenly fell to my knees.
LiteralHighlights the sudden moment of losing strength in the legs.
電車で居眠りをしていて、首ががくりと前に倒れた。
でんしゃで いねむりを していて、 くびが がくりと まえに たおれた。
While dozing off on the train, my head suddenly jerked forward.
VisualDescribes the head abruptly dropping forward unconsciously.
試合に負けて、彼はがくりと肩を落とした。
しあいに まけて、 かれは がくりと かたを おとした。
Having lost the match, he dropped his shoulders in sudden disappointment.
FigurativeFigurative usage to visually show a sudden loss of spirit or hope.
緊張が解けると、全身の力ががくりと抜けてしまった。
きんちょうが とけると、 ぜんしんの ちからが がくりと ぬけてしまった。
As soon as the tension melted away, the strength suddenly drained from my whole body.
LiteralShows the physical reaction of tension leaving the whole body.
重い荷物を持ち上げようとしたが、腰ががくりと砕けそうになった。
おもい にもつを もちあげようと したが、 こしが がくりと くだけそうに なった。
I tried to lift the heavy luggage, but my lower back felt like it would suddenly give out.
LiteralDescribes a body part (lower back) almost yielding to a heavy weight.
Similar Words
Questions
Can I use がくり (gakuri) for objects breaking?
Generally no. It is primarily used for the human body, such as knees giving out or a head dropping. Objects snapping suddenly would be pokkiri or bakkiri.
What is the difference between がくり (gakuri) and ガクンと (gakunto)?
While both involve sudden drops, ガクンと often describes a larger mechanical jolt or a sharp decrease in numbers/levels, whereas がくり focuses on the body losing tension.
Is がくり an onomatopoeia (sound) or mimetic word (state)?
It is a mimetic word (gitaigo), meaning it describes the visual state of losing strength or dropping abruptly, rather than an actual sound.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2868891
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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