Vocabulary

What does がらがら (garagara) mean?

がらがら means nearly empty, deserted (train, theater); hoarse, raspy (voice); rattling sound.

Quick facts
Reading	がらがら
Romaji	garagara
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N4

がらがらがらがら

N4 · estimated, JLPT frameworkgaragara

nearly empty, deserted (train, theater); hoarse, raspy (voice); rattling sound

Example sentences

平日(へいじつ)の昼間(ひるま)なので、電車(でんしゃ)の中(なか)はがらがらでした。
Because it was daytime on a weekday, the inside of the train was nearly empty.
風邪(かぜ)をひいて、声(こえ)ががらがらになってしまいました。
I caught a cold, and my voice became completely hoarse.