出来心(できごころ)

できごころ
noun
sudden impulse, momentary whim
emotion
1. sudden impulse, momentary whim, spur of the moment
A sudden, unplanned urge to do something, especially something wrong or ill-advised. Often used as an excuse or explanation for impulsive wrongdoing.
出来心(できごころ)でやった。
I did it on impulse.
出来心(できごころ)で万引(まんび)きしてしまった。
I shoplifted on a sudden impulse.
出来心(できごころ)だったとしても、犯罪(はんざい)は犯罪(はんざい)だ。
Even if it was a momentary impulse, a crime is a crime.

Usage

Almost always used in connection with wrongdoing — theft, cheating, lying, or other impulsive misbehavior. Commonly used as a partial excuse: 出来心(できごころ)で… (it was just a sudden impulse). The phrase implies the person didn't plan the action in advance.

Common collocations

  • 出来心(できごころ)でやる: to do something on impulse
  • 出来心(できごころ)から: out of a sudden impulse
  • 出来心(できごころ)だった: it was a momentary whim

Etymology

出来(でき) (occurring) + 心(こころ) (heart/mind) — a feeling that suddenly arises.

general
Added 2026.2.8 14:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
10500/10598_dekigokoro