折Nuance and style
Worth the trouble
せっかく points out a rare chance or a real effort, usually to say it shouldn't go to waste, or that sadly it did.
Two directions
Make use of it, or regret it
Since we've come all the way to Kyoto, let's see the temples.
Make the most of it.
I went to the trouble of making it, and yet nobody's eating.
It went to waste.
Common patterns
It usually pairs with one of these
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| せっかく~のだから | Since you've gone to the trouble… | せっかく来たのだから |
| せっかく~のに | After all that trouble… | せっかく来たのに |
| せっかくの + noun | A precious, rare… | せっかくの休み |
| せっかくですが | Kind of you, but no | せっかくですが、結構です |
| せっかくですから | Since you've offered | せっかくですから、いただきます |
In use
せっかく
My precious day off was rainy.
It's kind of you, but I have plans tonight.
A polite way to decline.
Since you've offered, I'll have a little to drink.
A polite way to accept.
The clothes I went to the trouble of buying were too small.
Compare
せっかく vs. わざわざ
I took the trouble to come, and it was closed.
Focuses on the rare effort or chance.
Thanks for going out of your way to come.
Focuses on doing something that wasn't necessary.
Check yourself
What's the speaker saying?
Your turn
のに or から?
Say it yourself
A kind invitation
A coworker invites you to dinner, but you have plans. Decline politely. Then tell them, since you've got the chance, you'd love to go next time.
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