Entry
がりがり
garigari
Focusing on something obsessively, or acting selfishly for personal gain.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The word garigari in this context (often originating from the kanji 我利我利, meaning 'self-profit') describes an intense, single-minded focus that ignores everything else. It is most commonly used to describe someone studying or working obsessively. It can also refer to a purely selfish attitude where a person only pursues their own interests, often at the expense of others.
- Obsessive studying
- Selfishness
Sense Map
Obsessive Focus
Studying or working intensely without paying attention to one's surroundings.
試験に向けてがりがり勉強する。
Selfishness
Acting selfishly and prioritizing personal gain over others.
我利我利に振る舞う。
Usage Note
How to Use
がりがり + verb (usually 勉強する or 働く)
Used mostly with verbs like studying (勉強する) or working (働く) to show obsessive focus.
我利我利の + noun
Modifies a noun to describe a very selfish person. Often used in the set phrase 我利我利亡者 (a completely selfish egoist).
がりがりと + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
がりがり勉強する
study obsessively
ガリガリ働く
work obsessively
我利我利亡者
a completely selfish person
がりがりと
obsessively / intensely
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Studying or Working | negative | Implies the person is so focused they ignore their health, friends, or surroundings. Rarely a compliment. |
| Pursuing Profit | negative | Describes extreme selfishness, pointing out that someone only cares about their own advantage. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
みっちり みっちり / contrast | Use for intense but positive, thorough training, studying, or packing something fully. | Does not have the negative, obsessive, or selfish nuance of garigari. | みっちり練習する |
一生懸命 いっしょうけんめい / contrast | Use to praise someone for working very hard or doing their absolute best. | A highly positive word, unlike the obsessive 'tunnel-vision' or selfish nuance of garigari. | 一生懸命働く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using garigari to praise someone's hard work.
Garigari implies obsessive tunnel-vision or selfishness. Use words like isshōkenmei (一生懸命) or majime (真面目) to praise someone.
Confusing this word with the physical 'skinny' or 'scratchy'.
They sound identical, but this specific usage comes from the kanji 我利 (self-profit) and only refers to obsessive focus or selfishness.
Examples
Examples
試験に向けて、毎日部屋でがりがり勉強している。
しけんにむけて、まいにちへやでがりがりべんきょうしている。
In preparation for the exam, they are studying obsessively in their room every day.
VisualShows an intense tunnel-vision focus on studying.
あの社長はお金のことしか考えない我利我利亡者だ。
あのしゃちょうはおかねのことしかかんがえないがりがりもうじゃだ。
That company president is a selfish egoist who only thinks about money.
FigurativeUses the kanji compound 'garigari-mōja' to describe a purely selfish individual.
彼は寝る間も惜しんで、ガリガリ仕事をしている。
かれはねるまもおしんで、ガリガリしごとをしている。
He works obsessively, even sparing the time to sleep.
FigurativeDescribes working too hard, with a hint of unnatural or unhealthy obsession.
人の迷惑を考えず、我利我利に振る舞うのはよくない。
ひとのめいわくをかんがえず、がりがりにふるまうのはよくない。
It is not good to act selfishly without thinking about the trouble it causes others.
FigurativeClearly uses the 'selfish' meaning, directly tied to personal profit.
周りの声も聞こえないほど、がりがりと机に向かっている。
まわりのこえもきこえないほど、がりがりとつくえにむかっている。
They are obsessively facing their desk to the point of not hearing surrounding voices.
VisualEmphasizes the loss of situational awareness due to extreme focus.
Similar Words
みっちり
mitchiri
Positive focus or intensity without the obsessive nuance.
Questions
Is it a compliment to say someone is studying 'garigari'?
No, it usually carries a slightly negative or critical nuance, implying they are studying obsessively and ignoring everything else.
Why is it sometimes written as 我利我利?
It stems from the kanji 我 (self) and 利 (profit). Hence, acting only for one's own benefit.
Is this the same as the word 'garigari' meaning 'skinny'?
They sound identical and are often written the same in kana, but their origins and meanings are completely different. The 'skinny' garigari is a mimetic word representing physical thinness.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2833552
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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