Japanese grammar

What does ～っぱなし mean? Japanese grammar N3

～っぱなし means leaving ~ as is without dealing with it (criticism); continuously remaining in a state.

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N3
Structure	V-ます stem (drop ます) + っぱなし
Romaji	ppanashi
Meaning	leaving ~ as is without dealing with it (criticism); continuously remaining in a state

Forming it

Continuous	立つ → 立ち + っぱなし
Left as is	つける → つけ + っぱなし

How to use it

Attaches to the ます-stem of a verb: describes doing something and then leaving it as is without following up (implying neglect), or a state/action that keeps going continuously.

「～っぱなし」 attaches to the ます-stem, describing doing an action and then LEAVING IT AS IS without dealing with it further (turning it on and leaving it, opening it and not closing it), usually carrying a nuance of blame for neglect.
The second meaning is a state/action that continues NONSTOP (standing the whole time, walking the whole time).
Close to 「～たまま」 in the “leave as is” sense, but 「っぱなし」 adds a nuance of neglect or emphasizes continuity.
When modifying a noun, 「の」 must be inserted: 「つけっぱなしのテレビ」 (the TV left on), 「開けっぱなしの窓」.

Examples

電気(でんき)をつけっぱなしにして、出(で)かけた。
I left the light on and went out.
今日(きょう)は一日中(いちにちじゅう)立(た)ちっぱなしで、足(あし)が疲(つか)れた。
I was on my feet all day today, so my legs got tired.
窓(まど)を開(あ)けっぱなしにして出(で)かけてしまった。
I went out leaving the window wide open.

Keep in mind

Only attaches to verbs (ます stem), not nouns or adjectives.
「立ちっぱなし」「歩きっぱなし」 emphasize the exhausting continuity.

Common mistakes

Wrong窓(まど)を開(あ)けるっぱなしにした。

I left the window open.

Correct窓(まど)を開(あ)けっぱなしにした。

「っぱなし」 attaches to the ます-STEM (開け), not the dictionary form (開ける).
Wrong部屋(へや)がきれいっぱなしだ。

The room was left messy.

Correct部屋(へや)を散(ち)らかしっぱなしだ。

「っぱなし」 only attaches to verbs, not adjectives.
Wrongテレビをつけるっぱなしにした。

I left the TV on.

Correctテレビをつけっぱなしにした。

Attaches to the ます-STEM 「つけ」.
Wrong宿題(しゅくだい)をやりっぱなしで、よくできた。

I did my homework and left it as is, yet it turned out fine.

Correct宿題(しゅくだい)をやりっぱなしで、見直(みなお)していない。

This pattern always carries a negative nuance; it cannot be used as praise.

Exam tips

Attaches to the ます-stem; means “left neglected” or “continuously, nonstop”.