Entry
ごっそり
gossori
Describes a situation where a large amount of something is completely taken away, removed, or lost, leaving a noticeable void.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word emphasizes the sudden or sweeping removal of a significant quantity. It is commonly used when something that should be present is completely gone, such as valuables being stolen in a burglary, a large clump of hair falling out, or all one's points being wiped out.
- Completely taken or stolen
- Falling out or removed in large clumps
Sense Map
Loss or Theft
Used when money, valuables, or resources are entirely taken away or lost.
お金をごっそり盗まれた。
Falling Out or Removal
Used when things like hair, dirt, or weeds are pulled out, shed, or removed in significant amounts at once.
髪の毛がごっそり抜けた。
Usage Note
How to Use
ごっそり（と） + verb
Modifies verbs of movement, taking, or losing. The 'to' particle can be added for rhythmic emphasis.
ごっそり + verb
The most direct adverbial form, typically placed right before verbs like steal, fall out, or take.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ごっそり盗まれる
to be completely stolen
ごっそり抜ける
to fall out in large amounts
ごっそり持っていく
to take everything away
ごっそり減る
to decrease drastically
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Theft or financial loss | Negative | Highlights a profound sense of loss and the sheer volume stolen. |
| Cleaning dirt or pulling weeds | Positive / Neutral | Can be satisfying, describing stubborn dirt or roots being removed all at once. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
そっくり そっくり / nearby | Used when something is left or moved exactly as it was, in its entirety. | Unlike ごっそり, which focuses on the sweeping removal and resulting void, そっくり emphasizes preserving the original state or entirety. | そっくり残っている。 |
すっかり すっかり / nearby | Used for a 100 percent complete change of state, such as forgetting or recovering. | すっかり focuses on the completion of a state change, while ごっそり focuses on the physical removal of a large quantity. | すっかり忘れた。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ごっそり for completing homework or a project.
ごっそり implies physical removal, taking, or shedding. It cannot be used for finishing tasks. Use すっかり or 全部 instead.
Pairing it with verbs of creation or addition.
It naturally pairs with verbs of subtraction (taking, losing, falling out), rarely with adding or creating.
Examples
Examples
泥棒に入られて、宝石をごっそり盗まれた。
どろぼうにはいられて、ほうせきをごっそりぬすまれた。
A thief broke in and completely stole all my jewelry.
LiteralEmphasizes the loss of a large amount of valuables at once.
ストレスのせいで、髪の毛がごっそり抜けてしまった。
ストレスのせいで、かみのけがごっそりぬけてしまった。
Due to stress, my hair fell out in clumps.
LiteralDescribes a large amount of fine or small things detaching from their place.
この洗剤を使うと、換気扇の油汚れがごっそり落ちる。
このせんざいをつかうと、かんきせんのあぶらよごれがごっそりおちる。
If you use this detergent, the oil stains on the ventilation fan will be completely removed.
VisualUsed in a positive context to show thick dirt being lifted away all at once.
ルール違反をして、貯めていたポイントをごっそり減らされた。
ルールいはんをして、ためていたポイントをごっそりへらされた。
Because I broke the rules, the points I had saved up were drastically reduced.
FigurativeDescribes the large-scale loss of something abstract like value or points.
畑の土を掘ったら、じゃがいもがごっそり出てきた。
はたけのつちをほったら、じゃがいもがごっそりでてきた。
When I dug the soil in the field, a massive amount of potatoes came out.
LiteralCan also be used for something hidden being pulled out in large quantities.
Similar Words
そっくり
sokkuri
Sokkuri means two things look strikingly similar or that something is kept or moved entirely without anything missing. Emphasizes an intact state without reduction, contrasting with ごっそり.
すっかり
sukkari
Indicates that a state has changed 100% or that an action has been carried out with absolutely nothing left behind. Both mean completely, but this focuses on a change in state (like forgetting) rather than physical loss.
Questions
Is ごっそり only used for negative situations?
Not exclusively. While common for theft and hair loss, it is also used positively when removing massive amounts of stubborn dirt or weeds.
How is it different from 全部 (zenbu)?
全部 simply means all factually. ごっそり is more descriptive, emphasizing the drastic action of a large amount being taken and the void it leaves.
Can I use it for losing my memory?
No, it is not natural for abstract concepts like memories. すっかり (sukkari) is the correct word for completely forgetting something.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2056770
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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