ぼろ
Meanings
1
usually written using kana alone
A piece of old, worn-out cloth, often used for cleaning or as scrap material.
I tore up an old T-shirt into rags and used them for cleaning.
2
tattered clothes; rags
usually written using kana alone
Clothing that is worn out, torn, or in poor condition; often implies shabbiness.
He was begging in rags.
4
noun-modifying (irregular), na-adjective
usually written using kana alone
Describes something in a dilapidated or threadbare state; used prenominally or as a na-adjective.
I live in a run-down apartment.
The beat-up old car broke down.
Usage patterns
- ぼろが出るfor a hidden fault or weakness to come to light
After telling so many lies, his hidden flaws finally started to show.
- ぼろを着るto wear tattered, worn-out clothes
The poor children walked around wearing ragged clothes.
- ぼろで〈物〉を拭くto wipe something with a rag
He wiped his oil-stained hands with a rag.
- ぼろ〈物〉a shabby, run-down ~ (e.g. house, car)
He has kept driving his beat-up old car with great care.
- 〈物〉がぼろになるfor something to become worn out or ragged
The towel I used every day has become completely worn out.