だらけ
Completely covered in, Full of
Structure
Noun + だらけ + の + Noun
Explanation
The suffix だらけ is attached to a noun to express that something is 'full of' or 'covered with' something else, often with a negative or messy implication.
だらけ connects directly to a noun. When it is used to describe another noun, it is followed by the case marking particle の. If the object being described is understood from the context, the second noun is often omitted.
- このノートは間違いだらけで読みにくい。This notebook is so full of mistakes that it's hard to read.
- 部屋がほこりだらけだから、掃除しないと。My room is covered in dust, so I have to clean it.
- チョコレートだらけの顔で笑っている子どもがかわいい。The child smiling with a chocolate-covered face is so cute.
- 砂だらけの猫を家に入れないでください。Please don't let the sand-covered cat inside the house.
Fun Fact
A key nuance of だらけ is that it describes something covered in many separate, individual items (like wrinkles on a face). For this reason, it can sound odd when used for something that forms a single, uniform layer.
- この壁を緑だらけにしよう。Let's make this wall covered in green. (Unnatural, unless the intention is to paint green specks all over it instead of a solid coat)
- 祖父の顔はしわだらけだ。My grandfather's face is full of wrinkles. (Natural, as wrinkles are scattered lines)
Examples
古い本棚の上はほこりだらけだった。
The top of the old bookshelf was covered in dust.
子供たちは公園で遊んで、服が砂だらけになった。
The children played at the park and their clothes got covered in sand.
このカバンに入れておいたシャツがしわだらけになっちゃった。
The shirt I put in this bag has gotten all wrinkled.
彼の遅刻の理由はいつも言い訳だらけだ。
His reasons for being late are always full of excuses.
うちのソファは猫の毛だらけです。
Our sofa is completely covered in cat hair.
ギャンブルで借金だらけの生活はもうやめたい。
I want to stop living a life that is riddled with debt from gambling.
頑張って書いたレポートが、赤ペンだらけで返ってきた。
The report I worked so hard on came back covered in red pen marks.
その古い家の壁はシミだらけだった。
The walls of that old house were covered in stains.
彼の説明はうそだらけで、何も信じられない。
His explanation is full of lies, so I can't believe anything.
このセーターは古くて、穴だらけだ。
This sweater is old and full of holes.
長年使っていなかった風呂場はカビだらけだった。
The bathroom, which hadn't been used in years, was covered in mold.
彼はいつも文句だらけで、周りの人を不快にさせる。
He is always full of complaints, which makes everyone around him uncomfortable.