Translation of Japanese word "せっかく" to English
せっかく
せっかく
[sekkaku]
IPA: /sekkaku/
How to use
せっかく (sekkaku) — 'with great effort / specially / since we've come all this way'. せっかく来たのに — Despite coming all this way / Since I went to the trouble of coming.
🇬🇧 English
with great effort / specially
Pronunciation Guide
Japanese Kanji: せっかく
Phonetic Reading (Hiragana): せっかく
Romaji Transcription: sekkaku
Example Sentences
せっかく勉強したのに、試験で失敗した。
せっかくべんきょうしたのに、しけんでしっぱいした。
I studied hard, but failed the exam.
せっかく買った品物は、すぐに壊れた。
せっかくかいたしなものは、すぐにこわれた。
The thing I bought with great effort broke immediately.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
Common phrases
- せっかく〜のに— despite the effort of ~ / all that trouble for ~
Frequency rank: #282 in Japanese
Learn them all! 🚀
Master the 1000 most common Japanese words with smart explanations, audio pronunciation, and spaced repetition.
Start Learning For Free →No sign-up required
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Japanese word "せっかく" mean?▼
The Japanese word "せっかく" means "with great effort / specially" in English.
How do you pronounce the Japanese word "せっかく"?▼
The word "せっかく" is read as "せっかく" (sekkaku). You can hear the correct audio pronunciation by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see a usage guide or example with "せっかく"?▼
Yes, here is a practical context/example: "Used to emphasize that something was done with great effort.".
More Connectors & Prepositions words
Related reading
Duolingo vs Anki vs Apps: Comparing Language Learning Methods in 2026
An honest comparison of popular language learning approaches: gamified apps, SRS flashcards, textbooks, tutors, and immersion. Pros, cons, and who each is best for.
Read →MethodWhat Is Spaced Repetition? The SM-2 Algorithm Explained Simply
Spaced repetition is the single most effective method for memorizing vocabulary. Learn how the forgetting curve works, how the SM-2 algorithm calculates review intervals, and why 20 minutes a day beats 2 hours of cramming.
Read →