ぐっと

ぐっと
adverb
firmly; with force; much more
1. firmly; with force
Describes applying pressure or effort with determination.
ぐっと(ちから)()れて()す。
To push with all one's strength.
()をぐっと()いしばった。
I clenched my teeth firmly.
(なみだ)をぐっとこらえて笑顔(えがお)()せた。
I held back my tears and showed a smile.
2. much more; considerably
Used to emphasize a significant increase or improvement.
値段(ねだん)がぐっと()がった。
The price dropped significantly.
練習(れんしゅう)してぐっと上手(じょうず)になった。
After practicing, I got much better.
(あき)になって気温(きおん)がぐっと()がった。
The temperature dropped considerably when autumn arrived.
3. deeply moved
Describes being emotionally moved or touched.
その(はなし)にぐっときた。
I was deeply moved by that story.
Colloquial expression
卒業式(そつぎょうしき)先生(せんせい)言葉(ことば)にぐっときた。
I was moved by the teacher's words at the graduation ceremony.
映画(えいが)最後(さいご)のシーンでぐっと(むね)(あつ)くなった。
The final scene of the movie made my heart swell with emotion.

ぐっと is a mimetic word (擬態語(ぎたいご)) with three main uses: physical force, significant degree, and emotional impact.

SENSE 1 — PHYSICAL FORCE:

  • ぐっと(ちから)()れる: to put in effort/force
  • ぐっと我慢(がまん)する: to hold back firmly
  • ぐっとこらえる: to endure, to hold in

SENSE 2 — SIGNIFICANT DEGREE:

  • ぐっと()くなる: to get much better
  • ぐっと()がる: to drop significantly
  • ぐっと(ちか)づく: to come much closer

SENSE 3 — EMOTIONAL IMPACT:

  • ぐっと()る: to be moved, to be touched
  • ぐっと(むね)(せま)る: to tug at the heartstrings

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ぎゅっと: tightly squeezing (physical pressure)
  • きゅっと: with a quick, tight squeeze
  • がっと: forcefully, suddenly (rougher nuance)
  • ぐんと: significantly, by a lot (similar to sense 2, but less emotional)