折 角(せっかく)

せっかく

adverb, no-adjective

with effort, at great pains, long-awaited

1. with effort, at great pains

Indicating that something required considerable effort or trouble; often implying the effort may be wasted.

I came all this way but it was closed.

The food I took the trouble to make has gotten cold.

I went to the trouble of buying it, but never used it even once.

2. specially, expressly

Going out of one's way to do something; taking special trouble.

Since you came all this way, please take your time and relax.

Since you've gone to the trouble, I'll have some.

Since we've come all the way to Kyoto, let's go see a shrine.

3. long-awaited, rare opportunity

A rare or precious opportunity that shouldn't be wasted.

折角(せっかく)のチャンスだ。

It's a rare opportunity.

Since it's a precious day off, let's go out.

Since it's such a rare opportunity, please do participate.

折角(せっかく) expresses that effort has been made or an opportunity is special/rare. It often appears in two patterns:

1. EXPRESSING WASTED EFFORT:
折角(せっかく)〜のに (despite taking the trouble to...)
Implies disappointment when effort doesn't pay off.

2. EXPRESSING RARE OPPORTUNITY:
折角(せっかく)の〜だから (since it's such a rare ~)
Encourages making the most of a special chance.

COMMON PATTERNS:

general

Added 2026.1.14 7:31 · Revised 2026.5.31 22:06

04000/04361_sekkaku