ぺんぺん草ぐさが生はえる

expression, ichidan verb

to be in ruins; to be dilapidated; to be desolate

Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'shepherd's purse grows', implying a place is so abandoned that weeds have taken over. Used for buildings, towns, or areas that have fallen into disrepair and neglect.

See also: ぺんぺん草 (ぺんぺんぐさ)

• かつて栄さかえた鉱こう山ざんの町まちも、今いまではぺんぺん草ぐさが生はえるほど寂さびれている。

  The once-prosperous mining town is now so desolate that shepherd's purse grows there.

• 廃はい墟きょとなった遊ゆう園えん地ちにはぺんぺん草ぐさが生はえていた。

  Shepherd's purse was growing in the abandoned amusement park.