noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective, noun
Describes a space or building that feels vast, empty, and lacking people or furnishings. Often used for large rooms, halls, or abandoned places.
引っ越し後、部屋はがらんどうになった。
After moving out, the room became empty and bare.
がらんどうの体育館に
My voice echoed in the empty gymnasium.
noun
main hall of a temple (vast and empty)
Original Buddhist meaning; refers to the large, often sparsely furnished main hall of a temple. Rare in modern everyday use.
See also: 伽藍
古い寺の伽藍堂はがらんどうとしていた。
The old temple's main hall was vast and empty.
Originally from the Buddhist term 伽藍堂 (がらんどう), meaning the main hall of a temple, which was often large and empty. The word shifted to a general adjective describing vast emptiness.