Translation and Meaning of: がっかり - gakkari

If you have studied Japanese or watched any anime, you have probably come across the word がっかり (gakkari). It expresses a common feeling in everyday life but carries interesting nuances in the Japanese language. In this article, we will explore the meaning, usage, and even some curiosities about this expression that appears frequently in real conversations and Japanese media. Here at Suki Nihongo, our detailed dictionary helps you understand not only the translation but also the cultural context behind words like this.

The term がっかり (gakkari) means "disappointed" or "let down" in English.

がっかり is a word that conveys the feeling of disappointment, frustration, or discouragement. Imagine waiting for something with high expectations, and in the end, everything goes wrong – that is the sentiment that がっかり captures. Unlike simple sadness, it carries a tone of active disappointment, as when an important plan fails or an expectation is not met.

In practice, the Japanese use がっかり in everyday situations, such as when an event is canceled, a gift doesn't arrive, or a movie fails to meet expectations. It's a versatile word, but always tied to this idea of an emotional "fall" after an unfulfilled hope.

Origin and structure of がっかり

The origin of がっかり comes from the verb がっく (gakku), an archaic term that meant "to lose strength" or "to wither." Over time, the repetition of the sound (がっ + かり) intensified the idea of sudden discouragement. This pattern of duplication is common in Japanese words that describe emotional states, such as うきうき (joy) or いらいら (irritation).

It is worth noting that がっかり is written only in hiragana in most cases, but some old dictionaries associate it with the kanji 愕然 (which means "shocked"). However, this writing is very rare today. The hiragana form is the safest for learners and even natives.

How to use がっかり in everyday life

がっかり functions as an adjective or verb (がっかりする). For example: 試験に落ちてがっかりした (I was disappointed for failing the exam). It also appears in constructions like がっかりさせる (to disappoint someone) or がっかり顔 (disappointed face). The naturalness with which Japanese people use this word makes it essential for those who want to sound fluent.

An important cultural detail: in Japan, openly expressing disappointment can be seen as discourteous in formal contexts. Therefore, がっかり is more commonly used among friends or family. At work, prefer indirect expressions like 残念です (what a pity) to maintain social harmony.

Curiosities about がっかり

A survey by the National Institute of Japanese Language showed that がっかり is among the 500 most commonly used words in informal conversations. Its popularity stems precisely from its usefulness in describing small frustrations of everyday life, from a spilled coffee to a train delay.

In the media, がっかり often appears in mangas and dramas, frequently accompanied by sound effects or onomatopoeias (like "orz", an emoticon that represents disappointment). In animes such as "Chibi Maruko-chan", the protagonist uses がっかり when she finds out that her favorite dish is gone – a classic scene that helps to memorize the term.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

失望 (shitsubou) - Disappointment, loss of hope
落胆 (rakutan) - Discouragement, disappointment
がっくり (gakkuri) - Disappointed, despondent (explicitly expresses a feeling of decline)
しょうぼう (shoubou) - Discouragement, but it can also mean a type of sadness more related to negative experiences.