Entry
がつがつ
gatsugatsu
To eat greedily and without restraint, or to chase money, status, or attention with unrefined eagerness.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Used for eating quickly and without table manners because of intense hunger. In everyday use it also describes a person who is overly ambitious, pushy, or impatient when going after success or attention.
- Eating with haste and greed.
- An aggressive chase after personal wants, often lacking composure.
Sense Map
Eating Manner
Eating greedily and quickly, with little regard for table manners.
パンをガツガツと食べた。
Ambition and Desire
Acting with unrefined eagerness to get money, status, or attention.
お金にガツガツしている。
Usage Note
How to Use
ガツガツ（と）食べる
Used as an adverb to describe greedy or impatient eating.
ガツガツ（と）欲しがる
ガツガツする
ガツガツした + 名詞
How to Use
Common Phrases
ガツガツ食べる
To eat greedily and in a hurry
ガツガツ欲しがる
To want something in an unrefined, greedy way
ガツガツ稼ぐ
To chase money in an aggressive way
ガツガツした人
A person who comes across as greedy or overly eager
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| At the table | Negative | Implies poor manners or eating too fast from hunger. |
| Work or social life | Critical | Suggests someone is too pushy or impatient about money, success, or attention. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
むしゃむしゃ むしゃむしゃ / similar | Use when the focus is vigorous chewing rather than greed. | Mostly about eating motion and is more neutral. Gatsugatsu is more negative and can also describe ambition. | キャベツをむしゃむしゃ食べる。 |
もりもり もりもり / contrast | Use for a healthy, hearty appetite that sounds positive. | Sounds energetic and wholesome. Gatsugatsu sounds greedy and unrefined. | ごはんをもりもり食べる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using gatsugatsu to praise hard work.
It implies unseemly greed. Use nesshin or ganbaru for positive effort.
Using it for a refined person enjoying a large meal.
It suggests impatient, impolite eating. For a hearty but positive appetite, use morimori.
Examples
Examples
彼は目の前の料理をガツガツと平らげた。
かれは めのまえの りょうりを ガツガツと たいらげた。
He polished off the food in front of him ravenously.
LiteralDescribes eating very quickly due to intense hunger.
あまりガツガツ食べると行儀が悪いですよ。
あまり ガツガツ たべると ぎょうぎが わるいですよ。
Eating too greedily is bad manners.
LiteralA warning about table manners.
あんなにガツガツした態度は周りに嫌われる。
あんなに ガツガツした たいどは まわりに きらわれる。
Such an aggressive and greedy attitude will be disliked by those around you.
FigurativeRefers to an unrefined or overly ambitious attitude.
彼は金儲けにガツガツしている。
かれは かねもうけに ガツガツしている。
He is greedy for making money.
FigurativeShows excessive financial ambition.
そんなにガツガツしなくても、時間はたっぷりあるよ。
そんなに ガツガツしなくても、じかんは たっぷりあるよ。
You don't have to be so desperate; there's plenty of time.
FigurativeAdvice not to be too rushed or desperate.
Similar Words
むしゃむしゃ
mushamusha
The sound or action of chewing food noisily, eagerly, or ravenously. Focuses on vigorous chewing and is more neutral than gatsugatsu.
もりもり
morimori
This word describes doing something with great physical vitality, such as eating heartily with a big appetite, working energetically, or having bulging muscles. A healthy, hearty appetite with a positive tone.
Questions
Is gatsugatsu slang?
It is a standard onomatopoeia, but it is informal and can sound slightly rude depending on the situation.
Can it describe a good appetite?
For a positive hearty appetite, morimori is a better choice. Gatsugatsu sounds greedy and unrefined.
Does it have a verb form?
Yes. gatsugatsu suru is common for greedy or overly aggressive behavior in general.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1003240
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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