ゴリゴリ

Alternative writings: ごりごり
Frequency:
1

An onomatopoeia for a scraping, grating, or grinding sound (e.g. scraping, crunching).

AdverbAdverb Taking 'と'Onomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

古い戸がゴリゴリと音を立てて開いた。

The old door opened with a creaking/scraping sound.

おろし金で大根をゴリゴリおろす。

I grate the daikon with a rasping/grating motion.

石がゴリゴリと擦れてイヤな音がした。

The stones scraped together with an unpleasant grinding sound.

2

To do something forcefully or vigorously; to work hard/intensely (colloquial).

AdverbAdverb Taking 'と'Irregular VerbOnomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

彼は試験前にゴリゴリ勉強して点数を上げた。

He crammed/studied intensively before the exam and improved his score.

職人が机をゴリゴリ削って形を整えた。

The craftsman vigorously scraped/sanded the desk to shape it.

今日はゴリゴリ筋トレをして疲れた。

I did a hardcore workout today and I'm exhausted.

3

Describes doing something by force or in a pushy/overbearing manner; forcing one's way.

AdverbAdverb Taking 'と'Onomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

彼は自分の意見をゴリゴリ通して会議を終わらせた。

He forced his opinion through and finished the meeting.

セールスマンがゴリゴリ押してきて困った。

A pushy salesman was relentless and it was annoying.

ゴリゴリのやり方では社員の離職が増えるだろう。

A heavy-handed approach will likely increase employee turnover.

4

Describes a hard, chewy or coarse texture (food, fabric, etc.); stiff or crunchy.

Na-AdjectiveNoun Taking 'の'AdverbIrregular VerbOnomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

このパンは外がカリカリで中がゴリゴリしている。

This bread is crispy on the outside and has a coarse/chewy texture inside.

古いジーンズは洗うとゴリゴリして肌に当たる。

Old jeans feel stiff and rough against the skin after washing.

ナッツがゴリゴリして良い食感だ。

The nuts have a crunchy, satisfying texture.

5

Describes someone inflexible or uncompromising; stubborn and rigid in attitude or beliefs.

Noun Taking 'の'Na-AdjectiveOnomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

彼はゴリゴリの保守派で、新しい案には耳を貸さない。

He's a die-hard conservative who won't listen to new proposals.

仕事のやり方がゴリゴリしていて、変えようとしない。

The way they work is inflexible and they refuse to change it.

6

Describes something hardcore, genuine, or full-on; seriously committed or authentic (colloquial).

Noun Taking 'の'Onomatopoeic or Mimetic WordColloquial

Examples

あのバンドはゴリゴリのヘビーメタルだ。

That band is hardcore heavy metal.

彼女はゴリゴリのゲーマーで週末は一日中プレイする。

She's a hardcore gamer who plays all day on weekends.