せっかく (sekkaku)

Meaning & usage

With effort; at great pain; take the trouble to do ~ | Some situation which seldom occurs has now occurred and one can either make use of it or, to one’s regret, cannot make use of it.

Example sentences 9

1. せっかくいい大学に入ったのだからよく勉強するつもりだ・です。

   I entered a good college with great effort, so I intend to study hard.

2. せっかくですから遠慮なくいただきます。

   Since you took the trouble to bring it to me, I’ll take it without hesitation.

3. せっかくですが今日は忙しくて行けません。

   I appreciate your most kind offer, but I'm too busy to go there today.

4. せっかくのチャンスだからデートしたらどうですか。

   It's a good chance, so why don't you date her?

5. せっかくの旅行が病気で駄目になりました。

   My long awaited trip had to be canceled because of my illness.

6. せっかくの日曜日なのに働いた・働きました。

   Although Sunday is precious (to me), I worked (all day long).

7. せっかくアメリカまで行ったのにニューヨークに行けなくて残念だった。

   I went as far as America at great expense, but, to my regret, I couldn't make it to New York.

8. せっかく会いに行ったのに友達はいなかった・いませんでした。

   I took the trouble to go see my friend, but he wasn't at home.

9. せっかく日本語を三年間も勉強したのだから、是非一度日本へ行ってみたいと思います。

   Because I studied Japanese for (as many as) three years, I would love to go to Japan once.