Entry
がつがつ
gatsugatsu
Describes eating ravenously like a starved animal or being intensely greedy for something.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Gatsugatsu is an onomatopoeia that describes eating rapidly and ravenously, often without manners, as if one has not eaten in a long time. Beyond food, it is used to describe someone who is overly ambitious or intensely greedy for money, status, or success in a way that lacks grace.
- Eating ravenously
- Being greedy or overly ambitious
Sense Map
Eating ravenously
Eating quickly and without manners due to extreme hunger.
がつがつと食べる
Being greedy
Desiring money, success, or other things in a desperate and unrefined manner.
お金にがつがつする
Usage Note
How to Use
がつがつ（と）食べる
Used to describe a very ravenous way of eating.
がつがつ（と）食う
がつがつしている
Describes the state or attitude of someone who is greedy and lacks composure.
〜にがつがつ（と）する
How to Use
Common Phrases
がつがつ食べる
to eat ravenously
がつがつ食う
to devour food greedily
がつがつしている
to be greedy or overly eager
お金にがつがつする
to be greedy for money
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| When eating | Negative, rude | Implies eating desperately like an animal. |
| In business or relationships | Critical | Criticizes excessive ambition that ignores decency. |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to compliment someone's healthy appetite.
For a positive, healthy sense, use もりもり (morimori). がつがつ sounds rude and unrefined.
Using it to describe yourself in formal situations.
It should be avoided as it gives an impression of a lack of manners or desperation.
Examples
Examples
お腹が空いていたのか、彼は出された弁当をがつがつ食べた。
おなかがすいていたのか、かれはだされたべんとうをがつがつたべた。
Perhaps because he was hungry, he ravenously ate the bento that was served.
LiteralShows a fast and unconcerned way of eating due to hunger.
そんなにがつがつ食うなよ、誰も取らないから。
そんなにがつがつくうなよ、だれもとらないから。
Don't eat so ravenously, no one is going to take it from you.
LiteralOften said as a reprimand to someone who is eating too hastily.
彼は出世のために、いつもがつがつしている。
かれはしゅっせのために、いつもがつがつしている。
He is always overly ambitious for the sake of promotion.
FigurativeDescribes an overly ambitious nature that sacrifices grace.
お金にがつがつするのは見苦しい。
おかねにがつがつするのはみぐるしい。
Being greedy for money is unsightly.
FigurativeIndicates that greed for money is considered an inappropriate attitude.
彼女は新しい知識を吸収しようと、がつがつと勉強している。
かのじょはあたらしいちしきをきゅうしゅうしようと、がつがつとべんきょうしている。
She is studying aggressively to absorb new knowledge.
FigurativeIn the context of studying, this word can show a very strong and aggressive determination.
Questions
What is the difference between がつがつ and もりもり?
もりもり has a positive and healthy connotation, while がつがつ is negative and describes a lack of manners.
Can it be used for things other than food?
Yes, it is common to use it to refer to greed for money, success, or affection.
Is this a formal word?
No, it is colloquial and generally used to criticize.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 945640472
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- kotobank.jp/word/がつがつ
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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