Japanese word

せっかく

Pronunciation

Romajisekkaku

Meaning

  • adverball this way

Example

せっかく来ましたので、写真を撮りましょう。se kka ku ki ma shi ta no de sha shin o to ri ma shō

Since we came all this way, let's take a picture.

Illustration for せっかく (all this way)

More examples

せっかくですから、こちらの料理も食べてみましょう。se kka ku de su ka ra ko chi ra no ryō ri mo ta be te mi ma shō

Since we have the opportunity, let's try this dish too.

Core concept

Presents an action or opportunity as meaningful because reaching it has required time or effort.

Common phrases

  • せっかくだからse kka ku da ka ra

    since we came all this way

  • せっかくの機会se kka ku no ki kai

    this special opportunity

Similar words

わざわざwazawaza: It describes taking special trouble to do something for a particular purpose.

Definition in Japanese

特別に手間や時間をかけたことを無駄にせず、役立てようとするさま。toku betsu ni te ma ya ji kan o ka ke ta ko to o mu da ni se zu yaku da te yō to su ru sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese form せっかく (sekkaku, "with special effort") is commonly written 折角 (sekkaku), with 折 (setsu, "break") and 角 (kaku, "corner"); the present meaning arose in Japanese.

Usage tips

  • When せっかく (sekkaku) modifies a verb in a positive context, it can explain why the speaker proposes doing something useful after making a trip or other effort.

Other meanings

  • taking the troubleadverb

Word lists with this word