Processing keyword: ～だらけ (〜darake)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～だらけ (〜darake)

～だらけ (〜darake)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Japanese grammar point ～だらけ (〜darake). This expression is used to indicate that something is full of or covered with an undesirable thing. Understanding how to use ～だらけ will help you describe situations where something is riddled with unwanted elements.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

～だらけ is used to express that something is full of, covered with, or riddled with a certain (usually undesirable) thing. It often carries a negative connotation, highlighting that the abundance is excessive or unwelcome.

Structure

The basic structure is:

Noun + だらけ

• Noun: Represents the undesirable element (e.g., mistakes, mud, dust)
• だらけ: Indicates that the noun is present in large quantities or spread all over

Formation Diagram

[ Noun (undesirable) ] + だらけ

Visual Aid: Example Table

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with ～まみれ (〜mamire)

～まみれ also means "covered with" but typically refers to substances that stick to surfaces and is used with physical items:

• Structure: Noun + まみれ
• Usage: Often with sticky or wet substances (e.g., blood, sweat, oil) Differences:
• ～だらけ: Emphasizes abundance of unwanted items spread over an area
• ～まみれ: Emphasizes being smeared or stained with a substance

  Grammar Point	Usage	Nuance
  ～だらけ	Noun + だらけ	Full of (undesirable things)
  ～まみれ	Noun + まみれ	Covered with (sticky substance)
  Example:

• 泥だらけ: Mud everywhere (e.g., on clothes, shoes, ground)
• 泥まみれ: Smeared with mud (e.g., clothes soaked in mud)

Comparison with ～いっぱい

～いっぱい means "full of" and can be used with both positive and negative nouns:

• Structure: Noun + いっぱい
• Usage: Neutral; indicates fullness without negative connotation Example:
• お茶いっぱい: Full of tea (neutral)
• 幸せいっぱい: Full of happiness (positive)

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

1. このレポートは、間違いだらけです。
   • Kono repōto wa, machigai darake desu.
   • "This report is full of mistakes."
2. 子どもたちは泥だらけになって遊んでいる。
   • Kodomo-tachi wa doro darake ni natte asonde iru.
   • "The children are playing covered in mud."
3. 彼の部屋はゴミだらけだった。
   • Kare no heya wa gomi darake datta.
   • "His room was full of garbage."
4. 彼女の服は猫の毛だらけだ。
   • Kanojo no fuku wa neko no ke darake da.
   • "Her clothes are covered in cat hair."
5. このテストはミスだらけだ。
   • Kono tesuto wa misu darake da.
   • "This test is full of errors."

Context Variations

• Formal Written Context: 品質に問題があり、商品は欠陥だらけでした。 Hinshitsu ni mondai ga ari, shōhin wa kekkan darake deshita. "There were quality problems, and the products were full of defects."
• Informal Spoken Context: 昨日の試合で、彼はエラーだらけだったよ。 Kinō no shiai de, kare wa erā darake datta yo. "He was full of errors in yesterday's game."

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Japanese culture, precision and attention to detail are highly valued. Describing something as ～だらけ implies negligence or poor quality, which can be seen as disrespectful or unprofessional.

Levels of Politeness and Formality

• Using ～だらけ in formal contexts requires caution due to its negative tone.
• When addressing superiors or in polite situations, it may be better to use softer expressions.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 傷だらけの勇者
  • Kizu darake no yūsha
  • "A hero covered in wounds" (symbolizing someone who has faced many struggles)
• 間違いだらけの人生
  • Machigai darake no jinsei
  • "A life full of mistakes"

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Using ～だらけ with Positive Nouns
   • Incorrect: お金だらけの部屋
     • Okane darake no heya (Unnatural)
   • Correct: お金でいっぱいの部屋
     • Okane de ippai no heya
     • "A room full of money"
2. Confusing ～だらけ with ～ばかり
   • ～ばかり means "nothing but" and doesn't have the negative connotation.
   • Example:
     • 甘いものばかり食べている。
       • Amai mono bakari tabete iru.
       • "I eat nothing but sweets."

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Think of だらけ as "da-lacking" in quality because it's full of unwanted things.
• Visualization: Picture an item completely overrun with something undesirable when you hear ～だらけ.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～だらけ is used to indicate that something is full of or covered with an undesirable thing.
• The structure is Noun + だらけ.
• It carries a negative connotation and should be used with caution.
• It's different from ～まみれ (covered with sticky substances) and ～いっぱい (full of, neutral).

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Choose the correct word to fill in the blank: この書類はミス______だ。 a) まみれ
   b) だらけ
   c) いっぱい
2. True or False: You can use ～だらけ with positive nouns like "happiness."
3. Select the appropriate expression: She came home covered in paint. a) ペンキだらけ
   b) ペンキまみれ
   c) ペンキいっぱい

Answers:

1. b) だらけ
   • この書類はミスだらけだ。
   • "This document is full of mistakes."
2. False
   • ～だらけ is generally used with negative or undesirable nouns.
3. b) ペンキまみれ
   • 彼女はペンキまみれで帰宅した。
   • "She came home covered in paint."

By mastering ～だらけ, you can more accurately describe situations where something is excessively filled or covered with undesirable elements, enhancing your descriptive abilities in Japanese.