Entry
からから
karakara
Karakara describes a state of being completely dry or entirely empty, a light rattling sound made by hard objects, or a loud and cheerful laugh.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This is a highly versatile descriptive word rooted in the idea of emptiness or lack of moisture. It portrays a physical state of severe dehydration, such as a parched throat or bone-dry soil. It can also describe a container or wallet that has nothing left inside. Furthermore, it mimics the crisp, light sound of hard objects rattling together, or the loud, open sound of hearty, uninhibited laughter.
- completely dry
- entirely empty
- light rattle
- loud laugh
Sense Map
Parched and Dry
Describes extreme dryness or dehydration due to a complete lack of moisture.
のどがからからに渇く
Empty Container
Indicates that a container or storage space is completely devoid of its contents.
財布はからからだ
Rattling Sound
Mimics the light, dry noise produced when hard objects clatter against each other.
からからと鳴る
Hearty Laughter
Depicts a loud, cheerful, and unburdened way of laughing.
からからと大笑する
Usage Note
How to Use
からからに渇く
からからに乾く
からからだ
からからと
Functions adverbially to describe the manner of making a sound or laughing.
How to Use
Common Phrases
のどがからからに渇く
throat gets completely dry and thirsty
財布はからからだ
wallet is completely empty
土がからからに乾く
soil dries up completely
からからと笑う
to laugh loudly and heartily
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Expressing severe thirst | Neutral and casual | Extremely common in daily conversation when expressing the immediate need for a drink. |
| Describing a character's laugh | Literary or narrative | Frequently found in written stories to depict a male character's robust and carefree laughter. |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to describe the sound of heavy objects crashing.
This word is exclusively for light, dry sounds. Heavy, crashing noises require different descriptive words.
Applying this word to express feeling emotionally hollow.
It describes physical emptiness, such as a depleted wallet or an empty container, rather than an emotional void.
Examples
Examples
暑くてのどがからからに渇きました。
あつくてのどがからからにかわきました。
It is hot and my throat got completely dry.
LiteralDescribes an intense feeling of thirst due to a lack of moisture.
晴れの日が続き、土がからからに乾いている。
はれのひがつづき、つちがからからにかわいている。
The sunny days continued, and the soil has completely dried out.
LiteralShows the absolute lack of water in physical matter such as soil.
給料日前なので財布の中はからからだ。
きゅうりょうびまえなのでさいふのなかはからからだ。
Because it is before payday, my wallet is completely empty.
FigurativeUsed to emphasize that the wallet contains absolutely no money.
箱を振ると、中でからからと音がした。
はこをふると、なかでからからとおとがした。
When shaking the box, a light rattling sound came from inside.
VisualMimics the noise of small, hard objects shifting around in an empty space.
その話を聞いて、彼はからからと笑った。
そのはなしをきいて、かれはからからとわらった。
Hearing that story, he laughed loudly and heartily.
VisualDepicts a large, unburdened, and cheerful way of laughing, typically of men.
Questions
Can I use this word for dry skin?
While it indicates extreme dryness, for dry skin, words describing a rough or flaky texture are often more natural. This word is better suited for a parched throat or completely dried-out soil.
What is the difference between this and karappo?
Karappo means entirely empty and can sometimes carry a sense of emotional void or apply to large vacant spaces like rooms. The current word focuses on the physical lack of contents in a container or a severe lack of moisture.
Is it okay to write it in Katakana?
Yes. Writing it in Katakana is very common, especially when you want to highlight the onomatopoeic nature of the rattling sound or laughter.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 916621192
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- kotobank.jp/word/からから
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ぐらぐら (guragura)
- Next entry
- きんきん (kinkin)