Entry
ジャカスカ
jakasuka
ジャカスカ means doing something vigorously, freely, and without restraint, such as spending money recklessly or eating with great gusto.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes performing an action with full energy and without holding back. It often implies an abundant or almost reckless level of consumption or output, such as spending money freely, devouring food, or playing a musical instrument loudly and vigorously.
- Spending money or using resources without a second thought
- Performing an action (like eating or playing music) vigorously
Sense Map
Spending freely
Using a large amount of money or resources without holding back or second-guessing.
お金をジャカスカ使う。
Vigorous action
Doing something like eating, drinking, or playing an instrument with full energy and without restraint.
ギターをジャカスカ鳴らす。
Usage Note
How to Use
ジャカスカ + verb
Functions as an adverb modifying how freely and vigorously the action is performed.
ジャカスカと + verb
Similar to the above, adding the particle と can make the rhythm of the sentence sound a bit more regulated in casual writing.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ジャカスカ使う
to spend/use without a second thought
ジャカスカ食べる
to eat with gusto/devour
ジャカスカ鳴らす
to strum/play loudly (an instrument)
ジャカスカ言う
to express opinions freely/bluntly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Spending (money/resources) | negative | Often implies squandering money without thinking about the budget or consequences. |
| Eating or drinking | neutral | Describes a big appetite and eating enthusiastically, without holding back. |
| Playing music | neutral | Indicates strumming strings or playing an instrument very forcefully and freely. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じゃんじゃん じゃんじゃん / similar | When doing something continuously and abundantly without holding back, like pouring drinks or receiving requests. | ジャカスカ emphasizes the reckless or forceful energy of the action (like strumming a guitar or throwing money around), whereas じゃんじゃん emphasizes a continuous, copious flow. | じゃんじゃん飲む |
どしどし どしどし / similar | When actively doing something without hesitation in rapid succession, or when encouraging others to act freely. | どしどし is often used to warmly encourage others (e.g., "send in your applications"), while ジャカスカ describes an unrestrained, sometimes careless action. | どしどし応募する |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ジャカスカ to describe working or studying diligently.
ジャカスカ implies a lack of restraint or recklessness which sounds inappropriate for serious contexts. Use どんどん or しっかり for studying/working.
Using ジャカスカ to simply mean something is moving "fast".
It describes human actions done with gusto or recklessly, not physical velocity like a speeding car.
Examples
Examples
ボーナスが出たので、お金をジャカスカ使ってしまった。
ボーナスがでたので、おかねをジャカスカつかってしまった。
Because I got my bonus, I spent money freely without holding back.
FigurativeEmphasizes spending money recklessly and with unrestrained energy.
彼は出された料理をジャカスカと平らげた。
かれはだされたりょうりをジャカスカとたいらげた。
He devoured the served dishes with great gusto.
FigurativeShows a large appetite and an unrestrained way of eating.
会議で意見をジャカスカ言う。
かいぎでいけんをジャカスカいう。
Expressing opinions freely and without hesitation in the meeting.
FigurativeDescribes someone who doesn't hesitate to speak up continuously.
弟はエレキギターをジャカスカ鳴らしている。
おとうとはエレキギターをジャカスカならしている。
My younger brother is strumming the electric guitar vigorously.
LiteralThis is the origin of the word, mimicking the strumming sound of an instrument.
お菓子をジャカスカ食べるのはよくない。
おかしをジャカスカたべるのはよくない。
It's not good to eat snacks continuously without restraint.
FigurativeGiving a warning not to consume something recklessly.
Similar Words
じゃんじゃん
janjan
じゃんじゃん describes doing something freely, vigorously, and continuously without holding back, or the loud clanging sound of a bell. Used for the continuous, abundant flow of an action.
どしどし
doshidoshi
どしどし (doshidoshi) describes doing something actively without hesitation, things happening in rapid succession, or walking with heavy, stomping footsteps. Used to warmly encourage someone to act without hesitation.
Questions
Does ジャカスカ have a negative connotation?
It can, depending on the context. When describing spending money, it often means reckless squandering. But when talking about eating or playing music with enthusiasm, it is neutral.
Can I use ジャカスカ in formal situations?
No. It is a highly casual and conversational expression that should be avoided in formal writing or polite speech.
Does this word come from a real sound?
Yes, it originally mimics the loud, vigorous sound of strumming strings (like a guitar or shamisen) before evolving into a figurative term for unrestrained actions.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2454070
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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