Entry
ムカッと
mukatto
Describes a sudden, sharp onset of anger or nausea.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ムカッと (mukatto) is a mimetic word that expresses a sudden, sharp onset of a negative emotional or physical state. It is most commonly used when someone suddenly feels a surge of anger or offense at someone's words or actions, or when they suddenly feel a wave of nausea or sickness in their stomach.
- sudden anger
- sudden nausea
Sense Map
Sudden Anger
Used when suddenly feeling angry, annoyed, or offended by something said or done.
彼の態度にムカッとする
Sudden Nausea
Used when suddenly feeling sick to the stomach, nauseated, or queasy.
胃がムカッとする
Usage Note
How to Use
ムカッとする
Combines the word with suru (to do) to indicate the action of feeling sudden anger or sudden nausea.
ムカッとくる
Combines the word with kuru (to come) to express that a sudden feeling of anger has come over you. This is very common for emotional annoyance.
ムカッときた
The past tense of mukatto kuru, frequently used to state 'I got annoyed' at something that just happened.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ムカッとくる
to get suddenly annoyed
ムカッとする
to feel suddenly sick or angry
胃がムカッとする
stomach feels suddenly nauseated
一瞬ムカッと
annoyed for a split second
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Being insulted | Negative | Expresses a sharp, involuntary spike of anger or offense taken at the remark. |
| Smelling something rotten | Negative | Describes the sudden gag reflex or wave of sickness hitting the stomach. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
むかむか むかむか / similar | Use when the feeling of nausea or anger is continuous, lingering, or repeating. | ムカムカ is an ongoing state, whereas ムカッと focuses on the sudden initial impact of the feeling. | 胃がムカムカする |
むっと むっと / similar | Use when feeling sullenly offended, annoyed, or keeping one's anger contained inside. | ムッと implies a quiet, internal annoyance or pouting, while ムカッと is a sharper, more visceral spike of anger or disgust. | 注意されてムッとする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for long-lasting anger.
ムカッと specifically describes the sudden onset of anger. For lingering anger, use ムカムカ instead.
Using it for physical pain.
It only applies to nausea/queasiness or emotional anger, not to sharp physical pain like a headache or injury.
Examples
Examples
彼の無神経な一言に、思わずムカッときた。
かれの むしんけいな ひとことに、おもわず ムカッと きた。
I suddenly got angry at his insensitive remark.
FigurativeExpresses a sudden surge of anger triggered by someone's words.
船が大きく揺れた瞬間、急に胃がムカッとした。
ふねが おおきく ゆれた しゅんかん、きゅうに いが ムカッと した。
The moment the ship swayed heavily, my stomach suddenly felt nauseated.
LiteralDescribes sudden nausea caused by physical shaking or motion.
順番を抜かされて、ムカッと腹が立った。
じゅんばんを ぬかされて、ムカッと はらが たった。
I felt a sudden surge of anger when someone cut in line.
FigurativeShows spontaneous annoyance at an unfair action.
腐った匂いを嗅いで、ムカッと吐き気がした。
くさった においを かいで、ムカッと はきけが した。
I suddenly felt nauseated after smelling the rotten odor.
LiteralDescribes the stomach's instantaneous reaction to a foul smell.
嫌味を言われて一瞬ムカッとしたが、笑顔でやり過ごした。
いやみを いわれて いっしゅん ムカッと したが、えがおで やりすごした。
I felt annoyed for a moment when insulted, but I let it go with a smile.
FigurativeDescribes a momentary feeling of offense that was successfully controlled.
Similar Words
ムカムカ
mukamuka
ムカムカ is an onomatopoeia for a physical sensation of nausea in the stomach or a psychological feeling of welling anger. Similar comparison term: ムカムカ.
ムッと
mutto
Describes a sudden surge of being offended or annoyed, or an uncomfortably hot and stuffy atmosphere. Similar comparison term: ムッと.
ムカッ
muka
ムカッ (muka) describes a sudden, sharp flare of anger or irritation, usually triggered by someone's offensive words or attitude.
カチン
kachin
'Kachin' (カチン) is a Japanese expression for a sharp, sudden feeling of annoyance or offense.
カッと
katto
Expresses a sudden, high-intensity flare-up of emotion, light, heat, or a sharp physical movement like widening one's eyes.
Questions
What is the difference between ムカッと (mukatto) and ムカムカ (mukamuka)?
ムカッと describes a sudden, single moment of anger or nausea, while ムカムカ describes a continuous, lingering state of being angry or nauseated.
Can I use ムカッと for feeling happy?
No, it is strictly used for negative physical or emotional states, specifically anger, offense, or nausea.
Is it more common to use katakana or hiragana?
It is generally more common to write it in katakana as ムカッと, as is typical for many mimetic words emphasizing a sharp onset.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2454690
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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