Entry
グサグサ
gusagusa
Gusagusa means the physical action of stabbing repeatedly, or the deep emotional pain caused by harsh, cutting words.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Gusagusa describes the forceful and repeated action of stabbing or piercing something. In daily conversation, it is most frequently used metaphorically to express the deep emotional pain felt when someone says something harsh, overly critical, or brutally honest that 'pierces' the heart. A secondary, less common meaning refers to things that have become loose, baggy, or structurally worn out.
- Repeated physical stabbing
- Deep emotional pain from words
- Loose or degraded state
Sense Map
Repeated Stabbing
The forceful and repeated action of stabbing or piercing something.
氷をグサグサと刺す
Emotional Pain (Words)
Deep emotional pain caused by harsh, biting words or sharp criticism.
厳しい言葉が胸にグサグサ刺さる
Loose / Degraded
The state of something losing its structural tightness, such as a worn-out hole or baggy clothes.
釘の穴がグサグサになる
Usage Note
How to Use
グサグサ（と）+ Verb (刺す, 言う, くる)
Used as an adverb to modify verbs like stabbing (刺す), saying sharp things (言う), or feelings hitting hard (くる). The 'to' (と) particle is optional but frequent.
グサグサに + なる / される
Used to describe the state of being completely ruined, stabbed full of holes, or becoming loose and degraded over time.
How to Use
Common Phrases
グサグサ刺す
stab repeatedly
心にグサグサ刺さる
pierce the heart deeply (with words)
グサグサ言う
say cutting things repeatedly
グサグサくる
cut to the core (emotional reaction)
グサグサになる
become loose or worn out
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Action | Aggressive / Violent | Describes forcefully stabbing or piercing something multiple times. |
| Emotional Pain | Negative / Hurtful | Represents the deep emotional damage caused by harsh, direct criticism. |
| Physical State (Loose) | Negative / Degraded | Refers to something losing its tightness, like a worn-out screw hole. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちくり ちくり / contrast | For a superficial prick, a single sting, or a sarcastic but minor remark. | It represents a small, momentary pain, whereas gusagusa implies deep, heavy, and repeated damage. | 針がちくりと刺さる |
ばっさり ばっさり / contrast | For a clean, decisive cut, or rejecting something drastically in one go. | It focuses on a clean severance or firm decision, unlike the brutal and messy repeated piercing action of gusagusa. | 髪をばっさり切る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Translating a physical internal pain like a headache or stomachache as 'gusagusa'.
Gusagusa is generally not used for internal bodily pain. Use ズキズキ (zukizuki) for throbbing pain or キリキリ (kirikiri) for sharp stomach pain.
Using it to describe a clean, single sword slash.
It implies a brutal, messy, and repeated stabbing action, not a clean cut. For a clean cut, use ズバッ (zubat) or ばっさり (bassari).
Examples
Examples
ナイフで氷をグサグサと刺して砕いた。
ナイフでこおりをグサグサとさしてくだいた。
I crushed the ice by stabbing it repeatedly with a knife.
LiteralExpresses the physical action of stabbing something multiple times.
彼女の厳しい指摘が、心にグサグサと刺さった。
かのじょのきびしいしてきが、こころにグサグサとささった。
Her harsh pointing out of my flaws pierced my heart repeatedly.
FigurativeExpresses the psychological pain of being deeply hurt by harsh words.
面接で痛いところを突かれ、グサグサきた。
めんせつでいたいところをつかれ、グサグサきた。
My weak points were pointed out in the interview, and it really cut me to the core.
FigurativeThe phrase 'gusagusa kuru' is very standard for taking emotional damage when words hit close to home.
人の気も知らないで、グサグサ言うのはやめてほしい。
ひとのきもしらないで、グサグサいうのはやめてほしい。
I want you to stop saying such cutting things without caring about people's feelings.
FigurativeDescribes the act of repeatedly saying hurtful things to someone without holding back.
土台の木が腐って、釘の穴がグサグサになっている。
どだいのきがくさって、くぎのあながグサグサになっている。
The foundation wood is rotting, and the nail holes have become loose and wobbly.
VisualExpresses a state where a hole has widened and become loose, unable to hold things tightly.
Similar Words
ちくり
chikuri
ちくり describes a momentary, sharp prickling or stinging sensation, and is metaphorically used for making biting remarks or tattling on someone. For a small, momentary pain or single sarcastic remark.
ばっさり
bassari
Bassari describes the action of cutting something completely, cleanly, and without hesitation in a single swift motion. For a clean, decisive cut in a single motion.
だぶだぶ
dabudabu
Describes clothing that is noticeably oversized, flabby flesh, or liquids pouring abundantly.
Questions
Can I use gusagusa for a stomachache?
No, gusagusa describes the physical action of stabbing with an object or the emotional pain of harsh words. For a sharp stomachache, use kirikiri.
What is the difference between gusat and gusagusa?
Gusat (グサッ) refers to a single, deep stab or a single hurtful remark. Gusagusa indicates that the stabbing or hurtful remarks happen repeatedly.
Can gusagusa be used for things other than knives and words?
Yes, a secondary and less common meaning of gusagusa describes a state where something has become loose or worn out, like a screw hole that can no longer hold a screw tightly.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2869898
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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