JLPT N2 · Noun / adverb

折角 (sekkaku)

折角 (せっかく, sekkaku) is a Japanese noun / adverb meaning “with trouble; at great pains”. It is usually written in kana. It appears in JLPT N2 vocabulary lists and is marked as a common word in JMdict.

Reading
せっかく
Romaji
sekkaku
Word class
Noun / adverb
Level
JLPT N2 (unofficial)

Meaning

  1. with trouble; at great pains · adverb, noun · usually written in kana
  2. rare; valuable; precious; long-awaited · noun taking の · usually written in kana
  3. kind; generous · noun taking の · usually written in kana

Example sentences

せっかくの苦労もあだになった。
All my pains went for nothing.
お前が大声出すから、せっかくのシャッターチャンスを逃しちゃったよ。
You just made me miss the perfect shot when you hollered.
こういう事情ですから、残念ながら、せっかくのご招待をお受けいたしかねるのです。
As such is the case, I am sorry I can't accept your kind invitation.

Sentences from the Tatoeba project, linked to this word in JMdict.

Kanji in 折角

Related words

Other vocabulary sharing a kanji with 折角.

Source: JMdict entry 1596090 (EDRDG, CC BY-SA 4.0). Level: unofficial JLPT list – how levels are assigned.