GOKKU-RI ごっくり
Meanings
The sound or action of swallowing liquid or saliva in one distinct gulp.
Examples
My daughter bravely swallowed the bitter medicine in one big gulp.
Dogmatic Opinion
My attention is on a single movement of the throat—and often the little swallowing sound that accompanies it.
There is also a slight sense of heightened tension. You may swallow your saliva GOKKU-RI when you are nervous because something is about to happen. Or you may swallow something difficult—bitter medicine, for example—with one determined gulp.
Even figuratively, the image is of getting something difficult past the throat in one decisive swallow.
Proximate Expression
swig
gulp
For Japanese Learners
Gulp and swallow are the natural English choices. “ごっくり飲み込む” can be swallow in one gulp. GOKKU-RI often focuses on one noticeable swallowing movement rather than repeated drinking.
