# だらけ: full of; covered with (something negative) ~

> Learn how to use だらけ, a JLPT N3 Japanese grammar point meaning full of; covered with, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N3 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n3-darake/

**だらけ** means **full of; covered with; a lot of (something undesirable) ~**. It is a **JLPT N3** grammar pattern used to **describe something covered in or full of negative or undesirable things**.

This grammar point often appears in **neutral** Japanese. If you want to **describe messes, problems, or undesirable accumulations**, **だらけ** is a useful pattern to learn.

## What does だらけ mean?

Use **だらけ** when you want to **describe something covered in or full of negative or undesirable things**.

Natural translations include:
- full of; covered with (something negative) ~
- full of; covered with; a lot of (something undesirable) ~
- full of; covered with

## How to form だらけ

Noun + だらけ

Examples of the pattern:
- 泥だらけ
- 間違いだらけ
- 借金だらけ

## When is だらけ used?

Use **だらけ** in situations like:
- complaining about messes
- describing bad conditions
- exaggerating negative situations

Tone and register:
- neutral
- Common in complaining about messes, test questions, and written narratives

## だらけ example sentences

- レポートが間違いだらけだった。 — The report was full of mistakes.
- 子供が泥だらけになって遊んでいる。 — The kids are playing, covered in mud.
- 彼は借金だらけだ。 — He is deep in debt.
- 部屋がゴミだらけだ。 — The room is full of garbage.
- その書類は嘘だらけだった。 — That document was full of lies.

## Nuance of だらけ

The key nuance is **always negative or undesirable — you use it for mud, mistakes, debts, and dirt, never for flowers or presents**.

This matters because **〜だらけ is inherently negative. It implies the thing is ruined, messy, or problematic because of what covers it. Do not use it for positive things.**

For example:
- In complaining about messes, it sounds natural and specific.
- Compared with **まみれ**, it carries a different weight and implication.

## だらけ vs まみれ

Both **だらけ** and **まみれ** can express **full of**, but they are different.

**だらけ**:
- strongly negative; used for abstract and physical undesirable things like debts, mistakes, lies

**まみれ**:
- neutral or slightly negative; physical covering with sticky or wet things like blood or mud

Quick contrast examples:
- 服が泥だらけだ。 — My clothes are covered in mud (what a mess).
- 服が泥まみれだ。 — My clothes are caked with mud (physically covered).

## Common mistakes with だらけ

Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using it for positive things (花だらけ sounds like an infestation of flowers)
- Confusing it with ばかり which means only, not covered in
- Using it in formal writing where に満ちている might be more appropriate

## Is だらけ on the JLPT?

Yes. **だらけ** is commonly taught as **JLPT N3** grammar.

That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences

## Practice questions for だらけ

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Say a report is full of mistakes.
- Complain that your room is full of garbage.
- Describe someone covered in mud.

## Learning path for だらけ

To learn **だらけ** efficiently, review adjective and noun modification first, then practice how the pattern describes tendency, excess, or noticeable quality.

1. First, make sure you can form **だらけ** without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with [っぽい](/blog/n3-ppoi/), [気味（ぎみ）](/blog/n3-gimi/). These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences about personality, appearance, amount, and evaluation; then check whether replacing **だらけ** with [がち](/blog/n3-gachi/) changes the meaning.

## Related grammar to review next

- [っぽい](/blog/n3-ppoi/) — because it also describes degree, tendency, or noticeable quality.
- [気味（ぎみ）](/blog/n3-gimi/) — because it also describes degree, tendency, or noticeable quality.
- [がち](/blog/n3-gachi/) — because it also describes degree, tendency, or noticeable quality.
- [あまりにも](/blog/n3-amari-ni-mo/) — because it also describes degree, tendency, or noticeable quality.

## Learn だらけ with Hane

If you want to review **だらけ** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N3 grammar lessons](/blog/n3/)