Meaning & usage
せっかく expresses that effort was made or an opportunity is special, often with a nuance of regret or expectation when things don't go as hoped. It appears before nouns (せっかくの新作発表会), before clauses, and in the set phrase せっかくですが to politely decline an offer.
Example sentences 8
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私がせっかくやっていることにけちをつけた。
He threw cold water on what I was doing.
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せっかくの新作発表会なのに、まったくワクワクしない。
Even though the announcement of his new work has been long awaited, I'm not the least excited by it.
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せっかく君にそれがやれるなら、やってほしいんだが。
If you could do it at all, I'd like you to do it.
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せっかくですが、お客様が見えることになっていますので。
I am sorry, but I have someone coming.
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せっかくの広い庭なのに、草ぼうぼうじゃ台無しだな。
Even tough it's such a big garden, it would be wasted if we let it get overrun with weeds.
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せっかく彼が用意した舞台を台無しにしてしまった。
The stage he specially prepared was wasted.
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おっと、せっかく時間前に来たのに、ダベッてたら遅刻しちまう。
Whoa, if we keep chatting, despite actually arriving early, we'll end up late!
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お前が大声出すから、せっかくのシャッターチャンスを逃しちゃったよ。
You just made me miss the perfect shot when you hollered.