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JLPT N3Suffix
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だらけCovered with or full of

だらけ attaches to a noun and says that something is covered with, full of, or characterized throughout by a large amount of it. It usually suggests that the situation is undesirable.

What it describes

Use だらけ with nouns that can plausibly accumulate, spread, recur, or characterize an entire scene. These include physical substances, visible marks or damage, scattered objects, and abstract problems such as mistakes, lies, contradictions, and debts. The expression presents the amount as widespread rather than giving an exact quantity.

Physical and abstract examples

シャツはどろだらけだ

The shirt is covered in mud.

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このふるてんしゃきずだらけになった

This old bicycle ended up covered in scratches.

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だらけのほうこくしょていしゅつしてしまった。

I accidentally submitted a report full of typos.

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Coverage versus adhering contamination

With a contaminant such as mud, both どろだらけ and どろまみれ can be natural. The first broadly views something as covered in mud or having muddy areas throughout; the second more vividly emphasizes mud adhering to or enveloping the surface. The distinction is a matter of viewpoint, not a strict rule: だらけ also has a much broader range with scattered objects and abstract problems.

More examples

ペンキだらけだ

My hand is covered in paint.

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ゆかどものおもちゃだらけだ

The floor is covered with the children's toys.

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かれせつめいじゅんだらけだった

His explanation was full of contradictions.

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かいしゃしゃっきんだらけになってしまった

The company ended up burdened with debt.

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あなだらけのくつではあめあるけない。

You cannot walk in the rain in shoes full of holes.

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このとうあんけいさんミスだらけだ

This answer sheet is full of calculation errors.

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だらけ (darake) – Covered with or full of