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Entry

ぎっくり

gikkuri

Gikkuri describes a sudden psychological shock or a sharp physical startle.

Meaning

Quick Meaning

This word captures the moment of being intensely caught off guard. It can refer to a sudden fright that makes your heart skip a beat, or a sharp, sudden physical strain, most famously in the context of a slipped disc or acute back pain.

  • Psychological startle or panic.
  • Sudden physical snap, usually in the lower back.

Sense Map

Psychological Shock

A sudden feeling of fright or panic.

ぎっくりして立ち止まる。

Physical Snap

A sudden strain or snapping sensation in the lower back.

重い物を持ってぎっくりときた。

Usage Note

How to Use

  • ぎっくりする

    Used as a verb to describe being suddenly startled or shocked.

  • ぎっくりと + verb

    Used as an adverb to describe performing an action with a sudden start, like stopping abruptly.

  • ぎっくり + noun (e.g., 腰)

    Combined with nouns, primarily koshi (lower back), to form the common colloquial term for acute back pain.

How to Use

Common Phrases

ぎっくりする

to be startled

ぎっくり腰

acute lower back pain / slipped disc

ぎっくりと

with a sudden startle

胸がぎっくりする

heart jolts (from shock)

Nuance

Context Nuance

Common ContextsNuanceUsage Note
Hearing shocking newsnegativeConveys a heart-stopping shock or sudden panic.
Physical strainnegativeAlmost exclusively used as gikkuri-goshi to describe sudden, acute lower back pain from lifting heavy things.

Similar Words

Comparison Table

Similar WordsWhen to UseNot the Same asMini Example

びっくり

びっくり / similar

For general, everyday feelings of surprise or astonishment.Gikkuri is less about simple astonishment and more about a sudden, sharp jolt or panic. Bikkuri applies to all surprises, good or bad.びっくりして飛び上がる。

ぎくりと

ぎくりと / similar

When experiencing a sharp, momentary psychological shock, often from a guilty conscience.Gikuri is mainly psychological, while gikkuri can also be used for physical muscle snaps.痛いところを突かれてギクリとする。

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Using gikkuri for happy surprises like a birthday party.

Gikkuri carries a negative connotation of panic or shock. Use bikkuri for pleasant surprises.

Using it broadly for any body pain.

It specifically describes the sudden snapping event in the lower back, known as gikkuri-goshi.

Examples

Examples

重い荷物を持ち上げた瞬間、ぎっくり腰になってしまった。

おもい にもつ を もちあげた しゅんかん、 ぎっくりごし に なって しまった。

The moment I lifted the heavy baggage, I threw my back out.

LiteralThis is the most common use of gikkuri in the compound gikkuri-goshi (acute lower back pain).

Source: Internal

暗闇で急に物音がして、ぎっくりした。

くらやみ で きゅうに ものおと が して、 ぎっくり した。

I was startled by a sudden noise in the dark.

LiteralShows a sudden startled reaction to an external stimulus.

Source: Internal

嘘がばれたのかと思って、胸がぎっくりした。

うそ が ばれた の か と おもって、 むね が ぎっくり した。

My heart jolted, thinking my lie had been found out.

FigurativeMune ga gikkuri suru is an expression describing a heart jolt from sudden panic or surprise.

Source: Internal

先生に名前を呼ばれて、ぎっくりと立ち止まった。

せんせい に なまえ を よばれて、 ぎっくり と たちどまった。

I was startled and stopped in my tracks when the teacher called my name.

LiteralGikkuri to is often used to describe a sudden physical reaction of stopping due to shock.

Source: Internal

痛いところを突かれて、思わずぎっくりしてしまった。

いたい ところ を つかれて、 おもわず ぎっくり して しまった。

I involuntarily flinched when my weak point was pointed out.

FigurativeShows the psychological flinch when something you want to hide or avoid is brought up.

Source: Internal

Similar Words

ギクリと

gikuri to

similar

A sharp psychological shock, often from guilt.

Questions

What does gikkuri-goshi mean?

It translates to acute lower back pain or a slipped disc. The name comes from the sudden, sharp snapping sensation in the lower back.

Is gikkuri the same as bikkuri?

Not exactly. While both denote surprise, bikkuri is for general surprises. Gikkuri specifically refers to a sharp, sudden, and often unpleasant jolt or panic.

Can I use gikkuri to say my whole back aches?

No. Gikkuri is specifically the sudden incident of throwing your back out. If your back simply aches generally, use expressions like koshi ga itai.

Source Details

Entry ID
2837063
Source
JMdict_english
Revision
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Active language
English
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