Processing keyword: ～だらけ (〜darake)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～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.

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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

Noun (undesirable)	Usage with だらけ	English Meaning
間違い (まちがい)	間違いだらけ	Full of mistakes
泥 (どろ)	泥だらけ	Covered in mud
ほこり	ほこりだらけ	Covered in dust
傷 (きず)	傷だらけ	Full of scratches
ごみ	ごみだらけ	Full of garbage

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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)

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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."

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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"

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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.

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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

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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."

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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.

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