Ever felt something stab — not just your body, but your heart?
That sudden, sharp moment when a word cuts deep…
Or when a knife plunges into something soft?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Gusa!” (ぐさっ) appears.
It’s the sound of something piercing — both literal and metaphorical.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
What is “Gusa” (ぐさっ)?
“Gusa” is a sharp, impactful onomatopoeia.
It expresses a deep stab — into flesh, or into the heart.
It’s often followed by silence… or shock.
You’ll hear it:
- When something sharp pierces the body
- When someone says something that emotionally hurts
- In dramatic manga or anime scenes with betrayal or deep embarrassment
Pronunciation
goo-sah
(Short and heavy — like a sudden stab or painful truth hitting you)
Categories
Sound / Emotion
What Does “Gusa” Look Like?
It looks like:
- A dagger going into a fruit
- A character clutching their chest, shocked by harsh words
- A betrayal that hits right in the heart
In manga, you’ll see it with sharp, jagged letters near a shocked face or a literal stab wound.
How Do You Say It?
Say it quickly and with impact:
Gusa!!
Like a sword, or truth, slicing through you.
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: A literal stab
He slipped with the knife —
Gusa! right into the melon…
Example 2: A painful comment
“You never try hard enough,” she said.
His heart sank — Gusa…
Cultural Note
“Gusa” is powerful in Japanese because of how often it’s used figuratively.
It makes pain — emotional or physical — audible.
In English, we say:
- “That hit hard.”
- “Ouch, right in the feels.”
- “Cut to the bone.”
But in Japanese, it’s all captured in one word:
Gusa.
Try Using It!
When you cut a fruit and the knife sinks deep…
When words hit harder than they should…
You can whisper:
Gusa…
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