Japanese grammar
What does ～だらけ mean? Japanese grammar N2
～だらけ means full of…; nothing but… (negative).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + だらけ N + だらけの + N |
| Romaji | darake |
| Meaning | full of…; nothing but… (negative) |
Forming it
| Abstract | 間違い → 間違いだらけ |
|---|---|
| Concrete | ゴミ → ゴミだらけ |
How to use it
So much of something that it becomes unpleasant. Different from 「まみれ」 in that 「だらけ」 can also be used for ABSTRACT things.
- 「Nだらけ」 = full of N. Always negative: 「ゴミだらけの部屋」「間違いだらけの作文」「借金だらけ」.
- Three suffixes are often confused: 「だらけ」 (a great many, including abstract things) — 「まみれ」 (covered all over with dirt/grime on a surface) — 「ずくめ」 (entirely one kind, can be positive).
- Modifying a noun requires 「の」: 「傷だらけの手」.
Examples
弟の部屋はいつもゴミだらけだ。
My brother's room is always full of trash.
急いで書いたので、間違いだらけの作文になってしまった。
I wrote it in a hurry, so the essay ended up full of mistakes.
Keep in mind
- Connects directly to a noun; modifying a noun requires 「の」.
- Always negative — one does not say 「いいことだらけ」.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong今日はいいことだらけだった。
Today was full of good things.
Correct今日はいいことずくめだった。
「だらけ」 is only used for negative things; for good things use 「ずくめ」.
-
Wrong泥だらけ服を洗った。
I washed the clothes that were covered in mud.
Correct泥だらけの服を洗った。
Modifying a noun requires 「の」.
Exam tips
- 「だらけ」 = full of (including abstract things, always negative); modifying a noun requires 「の」.