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Words Kanji Guides About

ほったらかす

ほ

っ

た

ら

か

す

Meanings

1

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

neglect; leave undone; leave alone

usually written using kana alone

Casual, often negative nuance: leaving something or someone unattended, unfinished, or uncared for. Implies a lack of responsibility or attention.

宿しゅく題だいをほったらかして遊あそびに行いった。
I left my homework undone and went out to play.
彼かれは部屋へやをほったらかしにして出でかけた。
He went out, leaving his room a mess.
あの子こをほったらかしておくのは心しん配ぱいだ。
I'm worried about leaving that child unattended.

Written forms

ほったらかすUsage100%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 放ったらかす is rare.
放ほったらかす
Kanji form is seldom used; learners should prefer the kana spelling.

Kanji

放set free, release, fire

Similar words

放ほうっておく
More neutral and less colloquial than ほったらかす; simply means 'to leave alone' or 'to let be', without the strong implication of neglect.
放ほう置ちする
Formal term for 'to leave as is' or 'to neglect', often used in official or technical contexts.

Etymology

Derived from the verb 放る (ほうる, 'to throw away; to leave alone') with the suffix たらかす, which adds a sense of leaving something in a state. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it is a colloquial formation.