Entry
ぐしゃり
gushari
ぐしゃり describes the sudden action of something being completely crushed, smashed, or squashed out of shape.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term vividly portrays the moment a solid or formed object suddenly loses its shape due to a heavy impact, being stepped on, or being forcefully squeezed. The -ri suffix adds a sense of suddenness and finality to the action.
- Crushed out of shape by heavy pressure
- Smashed or severely dented on impact
Sense Map
Crushed by pressure
Used when an object is destroyed or flattened out of its original shape by weight or pressure, such as stepping or sitting on it.
箱がぐしゃりと潰れる。
Smashed from impact
Used when a hard object gets severely dented, crumpled, or smashed from a heavy collision.
車がぐしゃりとへこむ。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぐしゃりと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying the following verb, indicating that the action resulted in something being suddenly and severely crushed.
ぐしゃりと + 潰れる / 潰す
The most natural combination, explicitly stating that something was completely squashed or forcefully crushed flat.
ぐしゃりと + へこむ
Describes a severe dent or something caving in suddenly due to physical trauma.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぐしゃりと潰れる
to be crushed / to be squashed
ぐしゃりと潰す
to crush / to squash something
ぐしゃりと踏む
to step on and crush
ぐしゃりとへこむ
to be severely dented / to crumple inward
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Accidental squashing | negative | Often implies an unpleasant surprise, such as accidentally stepping on a bug, a fragile toy, or food. |
| Structural damage | neutral | Objectively describes heavy physical damage to metal or rigid objects in accidents, such as a car buckling upon impact. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐしゃぐしゃ ぐしゃぐしゃ / similar | Use for things that are in a continuous messy, crumpled, or soggy state. | ぐしゃり highlights the instantaneous moment of being crushed (a discrete, one-time event), whereas ぐしゃぐしゃ focuses on the resulting messy or damp state itself. | ぐしゃぐしゃに丸める。 |
ぺったんこ ぺったんこ / similar | Use when something is completely flattened out, like a pancake. | ぐしゃり implies a violent or messy loss of shape, while ぺったんこ simply emphasizes the final state of being very thin and completely flat. | ぺったんこに潰れる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぐしゃり for minor bends, small dents, or slow deformations.
It strictly applies to sudden, drastic losses of shape caused by significant and immediate force.
Using it as an adjective modifying a noun directly.
It is an adverb. It must modify a verb to describe how an action took place.
Examples
Examples
空き缶をぐしゃりと踏み潰した。
あきかんをぐしゃりとふみつぶした。
I stepped on the empty can and crushed it flat.
VisualFocuses on the intentional and forceful crushing of a can.
箱の上に誤って座り、ぐしゃりと潰してしまった。
はこのうえにあやまってすわり、ぐしゃりとつぶしてしまった。
I accidentally sat on the box, completely squashing it.
VisualDescribes the sudden destruction of a box under accidental body weight.
事故で車の前部がぐしゃりと大破した。
じこでくるまのぜんぶがぐしゃりとたいはした。
The front of the car was completely smashed in the accident.
VisualUsed for metal being severely crumpled due to a heavy impact.
熟したトマトが床に落ちて、ぐしゃりと潰れた。
じゅくしたトマトがゆかにおちて、ぐしゃりとつぶれた。
The ripe tomato fell on the floor and squashed.
VisualShows a soft object getting instantly squashed upon impact.
大切にしていた作品が、ぐしゃりと壊されてしまった。
たいせつにしていたさくひんが、ぐしゃりとこわされてしまった。
The artwork I treasured was completely crushed and broken.
VisualFocuses on the drastic physical destruction of a valued object.
Similar Words
ぐしゃぐしゃ
gushagusha
Completely soaked, severely crushed out of shape, or thoroughly messy and disorganized. Gushari is the sudden moment of being crushed, while gusha-gusha describes the ongoing messy or ruined state.
ぺったんこ
pettanko
Describes something that has been crushed flat or has completely lost its volume and air. Unlike gushari which implies a messy loss of shape, pettanko means the object has become completely flat and thin.
Questions
What is the difference between ぐしゃり (gushari) and ぐしゃぐしゃ (gusha-gusha)?
Gushari describes the exact, brief moment an item gets crushed. Gusha-gusha describes a state that lasts over time, often implying that something has become a mangled mess or extremely soggy.
Can ぐしゃり be used for abstract concepts like feelings?
Yes, but less frequently than its physical uses. You might occasionally see it used metaphorically to describe a person's pride, hopes, or plans being instantly crushed.
Does ぐしゃり mean something becomes perfectly flat?
Not necessarily. It means the item has violently lost its original shape. If you want to say something became entirely flat, like a coin or a pancake, pettanko is the better choice.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2828461
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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