Entry
がさっ
gasa
A sudden, forceful sweeping action or sound, often when grabbing or moving multiple items all at once.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
がさっ captures the sudden movement and rustling sound of gathering, sweeping, or grabbing a large amount of things simultaneously. It implies a lack of delicacy, focusing on doing something forcefully in one go, like scooping up fallen leaves or grabbing a handful of items.
- Grabbing or gathering items roughly in a single forceful motion.
- The sudden dry rustle of leaves or materials moving at once.
Sense Map
Action: Grabbing all at once
Grabbing, sweeping, or gathering many items in a single forceful motion.
落ち葉をがさっと集める。
Sound: Sudden rustle/swoosh
The sudden, dry rustling noise made when things like leaves, paper, or bushes move forcefully.
茂みががさっと揺れた。
Usage Note
How to Use
がさっと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying verbs of gathering, moving, or falling to show it happens all at once.
がさっとなる
Describes a state where something suddenly rustles or shifts.
How to Use
Common Phrases
がさっと掴む
to grab a handful all at once
がさっと集める
to gather up in one sweep
がさっと取る
to take a lot in one go
がさっと削られる
to be slashed drastically (e.g., budget)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gathering items | neutral | Shows efficiency but lacks gentleness. |
| Sound in the bushes | negative | Can imply surprise or a slightly alarming sudden noise. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ごそっ ごそっ / similar | Use for removing or taking a large chunk of something completely, often leaving a hole. | がさっ focuses more on the sweeping motion or rustling sound of the items. | ごそっと抜け落ちる。 |
がばっ がばっ / similar | Use for sudden, large-scale movements like springing up from bed or aggressively pouncing. | がばっ is about body movement or opening widely, not sweeping up multiple items. | がばっと起き上がる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a whistling sound in the air.
For a projectile flying through the air, use ぴゅう instead.
Using it for careful, precise gathering.
It implies rough, forceful movement. For careful gathering, use completely different verbs.
Examples
Examples
落ち葉をがさっと袋に詰め込んだ。
おちばを がさっと ふくろに つめこんだ。
Stuffed the fallen leaves into the bag all at once.
LiteralFocuses on gathering many leaves efficiently but roughly.
暗闇で茂みががさっと揺れた。
くらやみで しげみが がさっと ゆれた。
The bushes shook with a sudden rustling sound in the dark.
LiteralDescribes a sudden, alarming dry rustling sound.
彼は引き出しの中のものをがさっと取り出した。
かれは ひきだしの なかの ものを がさっと とりだした。
He roughly grabbed a whole bunch of things out of the drawer at once.
LiteralImplies grabbing multiple items without picking them one by one.
プロジェクトの予算ががさっと削られた。
ぷろじぇくとの よさんが がさっと けずられた。
The project's budget was slashed drastically in one fell swoop.
FigurativeFigurative use meaning a large amount being removed or slashed suddenly.
机の上に書類をがさっと置いた。
つくえの うえに しょるいを がさっと おいた。
Dumped a large pile of documents on the desk in one go.
LiteralDescribes the action of putting down a large, untidy pile of items forcefully.
Similar Words
ごそっ
goso'
Focuses on removing a large amount completely, leaving a void.
がばっ
gaba'
Refers to a sudden, large body movement rather than gathering items.
Questions
Does がさっ always involve sound?
While originally imitative of a dry rustling sound, it is frequently used to describe the sweeping action itself, even if the sound isn't the main focus.
What is the difference between がさっ and がさばる?
They share roots related to bulkiness or rustling, but がさっ is an adverb for sudden actions, whereas がさばる is a verb meaning 'to be bulky'.
Can I use it without と?
Usually, it requires と to function smoothly as an adverb (がさっと), though in casual speech the と might be dropped.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2088980
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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