ほったらかし

ほ

っ

た

ら

か

し

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

noun

neglecting; leaving alone; abandoning

usually written using kana alone

Describes the state of leaving something or someone unattended, often with a nuance of irresponsibility or neglect. Commonly used in the phrase ほったらかしにする.

仕し事ごとをほったらかしにして遊あそびに行いった。
He left his work undone and went out to play.

子こ供どもをほったらかしにする親おやが増ふえている。

There are more parents who neglect their children.

Written forms

ほったらかしUsage77%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 放ったらかし is rare.
放ほったらかしUsage21%
Kanji spelling is uncommon; learners should use the kana form.
ホッタラカシUsage2%

Kanji

放set free, release, fire

Similar words

放ほう置ち
放置 is a more formal term for leaving something unattended, often used in official or technical contexts, while ほったらかし is colloquial and carries a stronger sense of neglect.
ほっとく
ほっとく is the verb form meaning 'to leave alone' or 'to neglect', while ほったらかし is the noun form describing the state of being left alone.

Etymology

Derived from the verb 放る (ほる, 'to throw away') with the colloquial suffix たらかし, indicating a state of neglect. The exact derivation is uncertain.