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Full of (negative items)
Definition
The grammar pattern "N + だらけ" is used to express that something is covered with or contains a lot of undesirable things. It always has a negative connotation, implying that the thing in question is overwhelmed or saturated with the unwanted items. This pattern is often used to describe situations where something is messy, dirty, or problematic. For example, if a room is "ごみだらけ" (full of trash), it means that the room is extremely messy and dirty.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun or noun phrase | N + だらけ | この作文は間違いだらけ |
| Noun or noun phrase | N + だらけ | 彼の部屋はゴミだらけ |
| Noun or noun phrase | N + だらけ | 膝が傷だらけ |
Examples
この作文は間違いだらけで、読みづらい。
Kono sakubun wa machigai darake de, yomizurai.
This essay is full of mistakes and hard to read.
この作文 (this essay) は間違いだらけ (full of mistakes) で、読みづらい (hard to read)
転んでしまって、膝が傷だらけになった。
Corobori shite shimatte, hiza ga kizu darake ni natta.
I fell down and my knees are full of cuts.
転んでしまって (fell down)、膝が傷だらけ (knees are full of cuts) になった (became)
彼の部屋はゴミだらけで、足の踏み場もない。
Kare no heya wa gomi darake de, ashi no fumiba nai.
His room is full of trash and there's no space to walk.
彼の部屋 (his room) はゴミだらけ (full of trash) で、足の踏み場 (space to walk) ない (none)
Context
The pattern "N + だらけ" is used to describe situations where something is overwhelmed or saturated with undesirable things. It's often used in informal speech and writing. In formal situations, it's better to use more polite language to describe the situation. For example, instead of saying "この作文は間違いだらけ", you could say "この作文は多くの間違いが含まれています".
Watch out
Mamire is a different pattern that means "full of holes" or "full of gaps". It's often confused with だらけ, but they have different meanings and uses.
Bakari is a different pattern that means "only" or "just". It's often confused with だらけ, but they have different meanings and uses.
Ippai is a different pattern that means "full" or "completely". It's often confused with だらけ, but they have different meanings and uses.
Strategy
When using the pattern "N + だらけ" in the JLPT exam, make sure to use it correctly to describe a situation that is overwhelmed or saturated with undesirable things. Pay attention to the context and the meaning of the sentence to choose the correct answer.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N2 test-style questions. Each sentence shows N + だらけ used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
この作文は間違い だらけ で、読みづらい。
Pattern used: だらけ
Indicates the essay is full of negative things (mistakes).
転んでしまって、膝が傷 だらけ になった。
Pattern used: だらけ
'Darake' is used for many scratches/wounds on the surface of the skin.
彼の部屋はゴミ だらけ で、足の踏み場もない。
Pattern used: だらけ
Describes a room that is overflowing with trash in a negative way.
Interactive
この作文は間違い ______ で、読みづらい。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.