っぱなしLeft as is; continuously
っぱなし says either that the result of an action has been left unchanged or unattended, or that an activity continues without a break. It often suggests neglect, inconvenience, or physical strain, but it is not always negative.
Two core uses
With an action that creates a lasting state, the form means that no one reversed or dealt with that state. With an activity or posture, it means that the same activity continued throughout the relevant period.
暖房をつけっぱなしで出かけてしまった。
I went out and accidentally left the heating on.
AnalyzeTurning the heating off was the expected follow-up, but it did not happen.
朝から三時間立ちっぱなしで、足が痛い。
I have been standing for three hours straight since this morning, and my legs hurt.
AnalyzeThe duration makes the uninterrupted reading clear, and the sore legs add a sense of physical strain.
Choosing a natural verb
For the left-state use, choose an action whose result can remain in place: opening, switching on, taking something out, or leaving water running. For the continuous use, a duration or surrounding context should make one unbroken stretch natural.
An uninterrupted activity
彼は会議中ずっとしゃべりっぱなしだった。
He talked nonstop throughout the meeting.
AnalyzeThis can sound critical because the speaker presents the talking as excessive and unbroken.
Prepared state or neglected state?
っぱなし often draws attention to the absence of a follow-up action. By contrast, てある presents the resulting state as something intentionally prepared.
More examples
窓を開けっぱなしにしないで。
Don't leave the window open.
Analyze水を出しっぱなしにしてはいけません。
You must not leave the water running.
Analyze電車が混んでいて、四十分立ちっぱなしだった。
The train was crowded, so I had to stand for forty minutes straight.
Analyzeエアコンをつけっぱなしで寝てしまった。
I accidentally fell asleep with the air conditioner left on.
Analyzeドアが開けっぱなしになっている。
The door has been left open.
Analyze昨日は朝から画面を見っぱなしで、目が疲れた。
Yesterday I stared at a screen continuously from the morning, and my eyes got tired.
Analyze