How to Say ‘So close’ in Japanese
すごくおしかった
sugoku oshikatsu ta
[soo-goh-koo oh-shee-kaht ta]
💬 Usage Tip: This phrase is a natural emotional reaction after a near miss. You can also say just [おしかった！] if you want to sound quick and spontaneous.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Fans in Japan often use short reactions in sync with the crowd. [すごくおしかった！] feels lively but still easy to say.
Phrase Breakdown
すごく
sugoku
[soo-goh-koo]
very; really
Adds strong emphasis to how close the play was.
あのシュートはすごくおしかった。
That shot was really close.
おしかった
oshikatsu ta
was so close; narrowly missed; almost made it
Used when something was nearly successful, especially in sports or competitions.
最後はおしかった。
The end was so close.
Words in this phrase
おしかっ
oshikatsu
[oh-shee-kaht]
close; unfortunate; almost
Used when a goal or chance nearly happened but did not.
ゴールになりそうでおしかった。
It looked like it might become a goal, and it was so close.
た
ta
[ta]
past tense marker
Shows that the speaker is reacting to a completed play that was close.
最後のプレーはすごくおしかった。
The final play was really close.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager