Entry
ぎくしゃく
gikushaku
Jerky, uncoordinated movement, or a social exchange that has become awkward and strained.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The word marks a break in flow. Physically, it is mechanical or halting movement. Socially, it is a common way to say a relationship or conversation no longer moves naturally, often because of tension, shyness, or distance.
- Mechanical or jerky physical movement.
- Strained or awkward social dynamics.
Sense Map
Physical Movement
Something moving in a non-fluid, repetitive, or mechanical way.
ロボットがぎくしゃく動く。
Human Relations
An atmosphere where people are not interacting smoothly, often after a conflict or at a first meeting.
二人の関係がぎくしゃくした。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぎくしゃくする
Used as a verb for an ongoing state of awkwardness or jerky movement.
ぎくしゃくした＋名詞
Used like an adjective to modify a noun, such as a strained relationship.
ぎくしゃくと動く
Used as an adverb for the manner in which something moves.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぎくしゃくする
to become awkward or strained
ぎくしゃくした関係
a strained relationship
ぎくしゃくと歩く
to walk with a jerky or stiff gait
会話がぎくしゃくする
the conversation becomes stilted
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Romance or friendship | Negative | Marks a stretch when the pair is not getting along smoothly. |
| Sports or machinery | Neutral | Can describe stiff joints, rusty motion, or software with jerky animation. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぎすぎす ぎすぎす / similar | Use when the atmosphere is cold, sharp, or unfriendly. | ぎすぎす is cold and hostile. ぎくしゃく is clunky and awkward, about flow that will not run smoothly. | ぎすぎすした職場の雰囲気。 |
がちがち がちがち / similar | Use for total physical rigidity or being frozen with nerves. | がちがち is locked stiffness. ぎくしゃく still moves, but the movement fails to stay coordinated. | 緊張して体ががちがちになる。 |
すいすい すいすい / contrast | Use for movement or progress that glides along with little effort. | すいすい is smooth, unhindered flow. ぎくしゃく is the opposite: catching, jerky, or socially forced. | 魚がすいすい泳ぐ。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a physically hard object, such as a rock.
Use かたい for hardness. ぎくしゃく is only for movement or interaction.
Thinking it is only for machines.
In daily Japanese it is actually very common for human relationships.
Examples
Examples
ロボットがギクシャクした動きで歩き出した。
ロボットがギクシャクしたうごきであるきだした。
The robot started walking with jerky movements.
VisualDescribes physical movement that lacks smoothness.
喧嘩をしてから、彼との仲がギクシャクしている。
けんかをしてから、かれとのなかがギクシャクしている。
Since we had a fight, my relationship with him has been strained.
FigurativeShows tension in human relationships.
初対面だったので、会話がギクシャクしてしまった。
しょたいめんだったので、かいわがギクシャクしてしまった。
Because it was our first time meeting, the conversation was awkward.
FigurativeAwkward due to shyness or lack of familiarity.
久しぶりに運動したら、体の動きがギクシャクする。
ひさしぶりにうんどうしたら、からだのうごきがギクシャクする。
After not exercising for a long time, my body movements feel stiff.
LiteralPhysical stiffness in joints or muscles.
このシステムはまだ調整中で、動きがギクシャクしている。
このシステムはまだちょうせいちゅうで、うごきがギクシャクしている。
This system is still under adjustment, so its movement is jerky.
FigurativeUsed for processes or systems that are not yet running smoothly.
Similar Words
ギスギス
gisugisu
Describes a tense, unfriendly atmosphere in social relations or a very thin, bony physical appearance. A cold, unfriendly atmosphere, not just uncoordinated movement.
がちがち
gachigachi
A state of extreme hardness: frozen solid, physically locked by cold or tension, or mentally rigid and inflexible. Locked stiffness in a body or object, not movement that still happens but catches.
スイスイ
suisui
Describes physical movement or abstract progress that occurs smoothly, swiftly, and without any obstacles. Smooth, unhindered movement or progress, the opposite of a catching, jerky flow.
Questions
Can I use it for a lagging video?
Yes. It can describe playback that jumps instead of running smoothly.
Is this word formal?
It is neutral. It works in casual talk and in ordinary workplace descriptions.
Does it mean a fight already happened?
Not necessarily. Things may simply fail to flow because of nerves or distance.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1003540
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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