Translation and Meaning of: だらけ - darake

The Japanese word だらけ [darake] is a common term in everyday life, but it can create doubts for language learners. In this article, we will explore its meaning, usage in different contexts, and how it is perceived culturally in Japan. If you've ever wondered how to translate だらけ or in which situations it appears, keep reading to find out.

In addition to understanding the literal translation, it's important to know the nuances of this expression. It can be used to describe everything from everyday situations to exaggerated scenes in animes and dramas. Let's look at practical examples and tips to memorize its correct usage.

Meaning and use of だらけ

だらけ is a suffix that indicates an excessive abundance of something, often with a negative connotation. In English, it can be translated as "full of," "filled with," or "taken over by." For example, a messy room can be described as ゴミだらけ (gomi darake), meaning "full of garbage.".

The term is not limited to physical objects. It can also be applied to abstract situations, as in 問題だらけ (mondai darake), which means "full of problems." This flexibility makes だらけ a versatile word, but its use requires attention to the context to avoid sounding rude or exaggerated.

Origin and curiosities about だらけ

The exact origin of だらけ is not entirely clear, but linguists associate it with the verb だらける (darakeru), which means "to become relaxed" or "flabby". This connection suggests a relationship with the idea of something that spreads or accumulates in a disorganized way. The most commonly used kanji to write it is だらけ in hiragana, although it sometimes appears as 鱈 (which means "cod"), in informal or humorous contexts.

An interesting tidbit is that だらけ is often used in animes and manga to emphasize comedic exaggerations. Scenes like a character covered in injuries (傷だらけ - kizu darake) or a room full of books (本だらけ - hon darake) are common. This usage reinforces the idea of excess and helps to memorize the word in visual contexts.

Tips to use だらけ correctly

To avoid common mistakes, remember that だらけ generally carries a negative or at least messy nuance. If you want to describe a positive abundance, such as "full of beautiful flowers," it's better to use other expressions like いっぱい (ippai) or 満ちている (michiteiru). This distinction is essential for sounding natural in Japanese.

Another practical tip is to pay attention to how natives use だらけ in real situations. Watching TV shows or reading manga can help internalize when and how the word sounds more natural. Over time, you'll start to notice the patterns and use だらけ more confidently in your conversations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 満ちて (Michite) - To be full; to be fulfilled.
• いっぱい (Ippai) - Full; a large amount.
• あふれて (Afurete) - Overflow; to be beyond the limit.
• 詰まって (Tsumatte) - Clogged; to be compacted.
• こぼれる (Koboreru) - Overflow; spill.
• 肥えて (Koete) - Gaining weight; becoming fuller or sturdier.
• ずさん (Zusan) - Negligent; careless, disorganized.
• ひどい (Hidoi) - Terrible; severe; can indicate disorder or dirt.
• だらしない (Darashinai) - Careless; lack of diligence or order.
• だらだら (Daradara) - Slowly; without hurry; can indicate a disordered situation.
• ぐずぐず (Guzuguzu) - Delayed; stalling; may indicate a lack of decisiveness.
• ぐだぐだ (Gudaguda) - Uncertain; chaotic; can also indicate a prolonged and disorderly situation.
• ぐちゃぐちゃ (Guchagucha) - Disordered; messy; confusing.
• ぐちゃっと (Guchatto) - Messy in an instant; a quick disorder.
• ぐちゃりと (Guchari to) - A feeling of mess or disorder, emphasizing the disarray.
• ぐちゃぐちゃに (Guchagucha ni) - In a disorderly manner; in a state of confusion.
• ぐちゃぐちゃになる (Guchagucha ni naru) - To become disordered; to fall into a confused state.
• ぐちゃぐちゃになった (Guchagucha ni natta) - It became disorderly; it got confusing.
• ぐちゃぐちゃにする (Guchagucha ni suru) - Cause disorder; mess something up.
• ぐちゃぐちゃになっている (Guchagucha ni natte iru) - To be in a state of disorder; to be messy.

だらけ

Romaji: darake
Kana: だらけ
Type: nominal suffix
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: implying (negatively) that something is full of e.g. bugs

Meaning in English: implying (negatively) that something is full of e.g. mistakes

Definition: The appearance of being full of a certain place or object.

Example Sentences - (だらけ) darake

See below some example sentences:

この部屋はゴミだらけです。

Kono heya wa gomi darake desu

This room is full of garbage.

This room is full of garbage.

• この部屋 - This room
• は - Topic particle
• ゴミ - trash
• だらけ - Full of
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

泥だらけの靴を洗いました。

Dei darake no kutsu wo araimashita

I washed my muddy shoes.

Crazy muddy shoes.

• 泥 - mud
• だらけ - Full of
• の - Possession particle
• 靴 - shoes
• を - direct object particle
• 洗いました - washed