Meaning and Usage
The adverb げっそり describes a state of becoming very thin or looking extremely worn out, often due to stress, illness, or emotional distress. It conveys a strong visual impression of someone who has lost weight or vitality noticeably.
Common Contexts
It is frequently used to describe physical weight loss caused by sickness or hardship, as well as emotional states like disappointment or exhaustion. For example, after failing an important test or undergoing a tough period, a person might look げっそり.
Collocations and Patterns
- げっそりやせる: to lose a lot of weight
- げっそり疲れる: to become extremely tired
- げっそりする: to look gaunt or disheartened
These expressions emphasize a visible or felt decline in physical or mental condition.
Register and Nuance
げっそり is informal and often used in spoken Japanese or casual writing. It carries a somewhat sympathetic or concerned tone when describing someone's condition.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse げっそり with simply being tired or sad. However, げっそり specifically implies a marked physical change or a deep emotional impact that shows on the person's appearance, not just a temporary mood.