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B1 adverb Neutre 3 min de lecture

うっかり

ukkari /ɯk̚ka̠ri/
Entraîne-toi

Overview

The Japanese adverb 'うっかり' (ukkari) describes an action performed carelessly, inadvertently, or without paying proper attention. It often implies a slight mistake or oversight rather than a grave error. The nuance of 'うっかり' is that of an unintended slip-up, something that happens due to a momentary lapse of concentration or forgetfulness.

Usage and Nuances:

  1. 1Carelessness/Inadvertence: This is the most common meaning. It suggests that someone wasn't being careful enough, leading to a small mistake. For example, 'うっかり間違える' (ukkari machigaeru) means 'to make a mistake carelessly' or 'to accidentally make a mistake.' You might say 'うっかり傘を忘れた' (ukkari kasa o wasureta) when you accidentally forget your umbrella.
  1. 1Lapse of Attention/Unawareness: 'うっかり' can also describe a situation where someone was not paying attention, and as a result, something unexpected happened. For instance, 'うっかり電車を乗り過ごした' (ukkari densha o norisugoshita) means 'I accidentally rode past my stop on the train' because you weren't paying attention.
  1. 1Figurative Use (Momentary Lapse): It can sometimes be used to describe a momentary lapse in judgment or a slip of the tongue. For example, if you accidentally reveal a secret, you might say 'うっかりしゃべってしまった' (ukkari shabette shimatta), meaning 'I accidentally blurted it out.'
  1. 1Colloquial and Everyday Use: 'うっかり' is a very common and natural adverb used in everyday conversations. It's often used when recounting minor incidents or expressing mild self-reproach for a small error.

Grammatical Forms:

  • Adverbial form: 'うっかり' is typically used directly before a verb to modify it. For example, 'うっかり忘れる' (ukkari wasureru - to carelessly forget).
  • As an exclamation: Sometimes, people might exclaim 'うっかり！' (Ukkari!) upon realizing they've made a small mistake, similar to saying 'Oops!' or 'My bad!'
  • With する (suru): 'うっかりする' (ukkari suru) means 'to be careless' or 'to make a careless mistake.'

Examples:

  • うっかり寝坊してしまった。 (Ukkari nebō shite shimatta.)
  • I carelessly overslept.
  • うっかり大事な書類をなくしてしまった。 (Ukkari daiji na shorui o nakushite shimatta.)
  • I accidentally lost an important document.
  • うっかりして、鍵をかけ忘れた。 (Ukkari shite, kagi o kake wasureta.)
  • I was careless and forgot to lock the door.
  • うっかり変なことを言ってしまった。 (Ukkari hen na koto o itte shimatta.)
  • I accidentally said something strange.

Comparison with similar words:

While 'うっかり' focuses on unintentional carelessness, other words might imply different degrees or types of error:

  • 不注意 (fuchūi): This noun (often used as an adjective with 'な' or an adverb with 'に') means 'carelessness' or 'inattention.' It's a bit more formal and can imply a more significant lack of caution than 'うっかり.'
  • 間違えて (machigaete): This is the gerund form of '間違える' (machigaeru - to make a mistake) and simply means 'by mistake.' It doesn't carry the same nuance of 'carelessness' as 'うっかり' does, although the outcomes can be similar.
  • つい (tsui): This adverb means 'unintentionally,' 'inadvertently,' or 'without thinking.' It's very close to 'うっかり' but can sometimes imply a stronger urge or impulse that led to the action, whereas 'うっかり' is more about a lapse of attention.

In summary, 'うっかり' is a versatile and common adverb used to describe actions done carelessly, inadvertently, or due to a momentary lapse of attention, leading to minor, unintentional errors.

Exemples

1

うっかりしてまちがえてしまいました。

General conversation

I carelessly made a mistake.

2

うっかりと鍵を忘れてきてしまった。

Describing an oversight

I inadvertently forgot my keys.

3

うっかりして電車を乗り過ごしてしまった。

Explaining missing a stop/station

I wasn't paying attention and missed my train stop.

4

うっかりペンを落としてしまった。

Describing a minor accidental action

I accidentally dropped my pen.

5

うっかり秘密を漏らしてしまった。

Confessing an accidental disclosure

I inadvertently let out a secret.

Collocations courantes

うっかり忘れる
うっかりミス
うっかりする
うっかり口を滑らせる

Souvent confondu avec

うっかり vs うっとり

うっかり (ukkari) means 'carelessly, inadvertently', often leading to mistakes. うっとり (uttori) means 'entranced, spellbound', describing a state of being charmed or fascinated, often positively.

うっかり vs うつむく

うっかり (ukkari) describes an action done carelessly. うつむく (utsumuku) means 'to look down, to cast one's eyes down', describing a physical posture, often due to shyness, sadness, or thought.

Modèles grammaticaux

うっかり + verb (e.g., うっかり忘れる - to carelessly forget) うっかり + と + verb (e.g., うっかりと口を滑らせる - to inadvertently let something slip) うっかりした + noun (e.g., うっかりしたミス - a careless mistake)

Comment l'utiliser

Notes d'usage

'うっかり' is an adverb that means 'carelessly,' 'inadvertently,' 'without paying attention,' or 'by accident.' It describes an action done due to a momentary lapse in concentration or forgetfulness. It can be used with verbs like '忘れる' (to forget), '間違える' (to make a mistake), or '落とす' (to drop). For example, 'うっかり宿題を忘れてしまった' means 'I carelessly forgot my homework.' It often carries a slight nuance of regret or mild self-reproach. While generally used for minor, unintentional errors, it can also be used in more serious contexts to describe a lapse that had significant consequences. It is typically used in informal to semi-formal situations. It can also be used as an adjective by adding 'の' (e.g., 'うっかりなミス' - a careless mistake) or as a noun (e.g., 'うっかりがあった' - there was a moment of carelessness).

Erreurs courantes

Some learners might confuse 'ukkari' with other adverbs like 'tsui' (unintentionally, inadvertently, but often with a nuance of doing something one shouldn't have) or 'futo' (suddenly, unexpectedly, often related to thoughts or actions that come to mind). While there's overlap, 'ukkari' specifically emphasizes the lack of attention leading to a mistake. It's often used when someone makes a silly or careless error.

Astuces

💡

Learn common adverbs

Many Japanese adverbs are formed by adding 「と」 to the end of a word (e.g., 「きらきらと」 meaning 'sparklingly'). Others are standalone words or formed with 「り」 (e.g., 「ゆっくり」 meaning 'slowly'). Pay attention to the particles they can be used with, such as 「と」, 「に」, or no particle at all.

💡

Distinguish similar-sounding adverbs

Japanese has many adverbs that sound similar but have distinct meanings. For instance, 「うっかり」 (carelessly) and 「しっかり」 (firmly, properly) are often confused. Practice recognizing the nuances through context and example sentences.

💡

Use adverbs to add nuance

Adverbs are crucial for adding detail and emotion to your sentences. For example, instead of just saying 「食べた」 (ate), you could say 「こっそり食べた」 (ate stealthily) or 「がっつり食べた」 (ate heartily) to convey more information about how the action was performed.

Origine du mot

From 'うっかり' (ukkari), an onomatopoeic or mimetic word expressing a state of being absent-minded or doing something without due care. The word emerged in the Edo period, with early usages suggesting a sudden, unexpected action or oversight. Over time, its meaning solidified to denote carelessness or inadvertence. The sound 'ukkari' itself may evoke a sense of something slipping or being forgotten quickly. Its evolution shows a common pattern in Japanese where sounds imitating states or actions become established vocabulary.

Contexte culturel

The word 'うっかり' (ukkari) in Japanese reflects a cultural nuance where minor mistakes due to inattentiveness are understood, but there's an underlying expectation of diligence. While not as strong as the English 'clumsy,' it often implies a momentary lapse in focus rather than a fundamental lack of ability. This can be seen in situations where someone might 'うっかり' forget something, make a small error in writing, or miss a step. There's an element of self-reproach often associated with its use, as individuals are generally expected to be mindful and precise in their actions, especially in professional or formal settings. It's frequently used with an apology, such as 'うっかりしていました' (I was careless), to acknowledge the mistake and express regret, reinforcing the cultural value placed on attentiveness and responsibility.

Astuce mémo

Visualize someone 'Ukkari' (oops!) dropping something because they weren't paying attention. The double 'k' sound can be like a sudden, clumsy action.

Questions fréquentes

4 questions

'うっかり' (ukkari) is an adverb in Japanese that means carelessly, inadvertently, or without paying attention. It describes an action done by mistake or due to a lack of caution.

Certainly! You could say: 「うっかり電車を乗り過ごしてしまった。」 (Ukkari densha o norisugoshite shimatta.) This translates to: "I carelessly missed my train." or "I accidentally rode past my station."

Yes, a common phrase is 「うっかりする」 (ukkari suru), which means 'to be careless' or 'to make a blunder.' Another example is 「うっかりミス」 (ukkari misu), meaning 'a careless mistake' or 'an oversight'.

'うっかり' often implies a light, unintentional mistake due to a momentary lapse in attention, rather than a serious error or negligence. It carries a sense of slight absentmindedness. For example, it's different from 「間違って」 (machigatte), which simply means 'by mistake' without necessarily implying carelessness.

Teste-toi

fill blank

彼は___にも鍵を会社に置き忘れてしまった。

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
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___ミスをしてしまい、書類を再提出することになった。

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
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___返事をしてしまい、後で後悔した。

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Score : /3

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