思い切り

おもいきり

with all one's strength (heart), resignation, resolution

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"思い切り" is an adverb that expresses doing something with full strength, effort, or emotion. It can also indicate making a firm or resolute decision. It is often used in casual and neutral contexts to emphasize wholehearted actions or feelings.

Common Collocations

  • 思い切り走る: to run with all one's strength
  • 思い切り泣く: to cry one's heart out
  • 思い切り決断する: to make a firm decision

Nuances

When using "思い切り," the speaker implies they are not holding back emotionally or physically. It conveys a sense of freedom or determination. It is different from simply "hard" or "strongly" because it often includes an emotional or resolute aspect.

Register and Politeness

"思い切り" is neutral and can be used in both casual and polite speech, but it is more common in spoken language than formal writing.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "思い切り" with "思い切って," which is the te-form used to connect to verbs and often emphasizes the act of making a decision or taking a bold action. Remember "思い切り" focuses on the manner of doing something with full effort or emotion.

Example Sentences

おもいきりはしって、いきがきれた。

I ran with all my strength and got out of breath.

おもいきりないて、きもちがらくになった。

I cried my heart out and felt relieved.

おもいきりけつだんして、あたらしいしごとをはじめた。

I made a firm decision and started a new job.