Entry
ごくごく
gokugoku
The sound of drinking liquid continuously in large, vigorous gulps.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Gokugoku represents the audible sound made in the throat when someone drinks a liquid rapidly and continuously in large gulps. It often implies that the person is very thirsty and is drinking eagerly without stopping.
- vigorous gulping
- sound of swallowing
Sense Map
Drinking vigorously
Drinking a large amount of liquid quickly and continuously, often due to thirst.
水をごくごく飲む
Gulping sound
The physical sound of liquid going down the throat.
喉をごくごく鳴らす
Usage Note
How to Use
ごくごく + 飲む
Used as an adverb directly modifying the verb nomu (to drink).
ごくごくと + 飲む
Adding the particle to emphasizes the manner or sound of the drinking action.
ゴクゴク + 飲む
Using katakana strongly emphasizes the loud, physical sound effect of the gulps.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ごくごく飲む
to drink in large gulps
ごくごくと飲み干す
to gulp down completely
水をごくごく
gulping water
ゴクゴク喉を鳴らす
to make a gulping sound in the throat
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Quenching thirst | positive | Expresses a healthy, refreshing relief from thirst, especially for children or after exercise. |
| Formal dining | negative | Drinking with a loud gokugoku sound is considered bad manners in quiet or formal settings. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐびぐび ぐびぐび / similar | When drinking with strong enjoyment, very often used for alcoholic beverages like beer. | Gokugoku focuses on the physical continuous swallowing of any liquid, while gubigubi emphasizes the refreshing feeling and enjoyment. | ビールをグビグビ飲む。 |
こくん こくん / contrast | When swallowing a small amount of liquid or saliva quietly, usually just once. | Gokugoku is a loud, continuous action, whereas kokun is a single, quiet swallow. | 唾をこくんと飲み込む。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using gokugoku for eating food quickly in big bites.
Gokugoku is strictly for liquids going down the throat. For eating quickly, use words like baku-baku.
Using gokugoku when sipping hot coffee or hot tea.
Because it means drinking in large, rapid gulps, it is unnatural for hot drinks that must be sipped slowly.
Examples
Examples
喉が渇いていたので、冷たい水をごくごく飲んだ。
のどがかわいていたので、つめたいみずをごくごくのんだ。
I was thirsty, so I gulped down cold water.
LiteralUse when quenching strong thirst.
彼はグラスのビールをごくごくと飲み干した。
かれはぐらすのびーるをごくごくとのみほした。
He gulped down the glass of beer completely.
LiteralEmphasizes finishing the drink entirely.
お風呂上がりに、牛乳をゴクゴク飲むのが好きです。
おふろあがりに、ぎゅうにゅうをごくごくのむのがすきです。
I like to gulp down milk after taking a bath.
LiteralKatakana is often used to emphasize the refreshing sound.
赤ちゃんが哺乳瓶からミルクをごくごく飲んでいる。
あかちゃんがほにゅうびんからみるくをごくごくのんでいる。
The baby is vigorously gulping milk from the bottle.
LiteralDescribes an eager and healthy way of drinking.
マラソンの後、スポーツドリンクをごくごくと喉を鳴らして飲んだ。
まらそんのあと、すぽーつどりんくをごくごくとのどをならしてのんだ。
After the marathon, I gulped down a sports drink, making a loud sound in my throat.
LiteralExplicitly mentions the physical sound in the throat.
Similar Words
グビグビ
gubigubi
グビグビ (gubigubi) describes the sound or action of vigorously gulping down a liquid, often associated with chugging beer or water when extremely thirsty. Focuses on the enjoyment of the drink (often alcohol).
こくん
kokun
Represents a single, deep nod of the head in agreement or a single audible gulp when swallowing liquid. A single, quiet, small swallow.
ぐうっと
guutto
Describes the action of drinking a liquid continuously and forcefully in one long, unbroken gulp.
Questions
Can I use gokugoku for alcoholic drinks?
Yes, but gubigubi is more commonly used to emphasize the enjoyment of alcohol like beer.
Does gokugoku mean the person is thirsty?
It strongly implies thirst because people naturally drink in large continuous gulps when they are very thirsty.
Can gokugoku be used for babies drinking milk?
Yes, it is often used to describe a baby energetically drinking milk from a bottle.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2178890
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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