Entry
からっぽ
karappo
A state of being completely empty or vacant with absolutely nothing inside.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term is used to describe containers, rooms, or spaces that have lost their contents, as well as abstract concepts like one's heart or mind being blank or void of feeling.
- Physical emptiness in containers or spaces
- Mental or emotional blankness
Sense Map
Physical Objects
Describes containers, rooms, or locations that have no contents.
からっぽの冷蔵庫
Mental and Emotional
Describes a feeling of being drained, heart-broken, or having a blank mind.
頭がからっぽになる
Usage Note
How to Use
からっぽな
からっぽに
Indicates a change in state from being full to becoming empty.
からっぽだ
からっぽです
How to Use
Common Phrases
からっぽの財布
empty wallet
からっぽの箱
empty box
部屋がからっぽになる
room becomes empty
頭をからっぽにする
clear one's head
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Finances | informal | Commonly used to complain about having no money in one's wallet. |
| Mental State | neutral | Describes being so tired that you cannot think of anything. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がらがら がらがら / similar | Use when a place or vehicle has many empty seats or very few people. | Karappo means no contents at all, while garagara refers specifically to low density of people or things in a large space. | 店内がらがらだ |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using karappo for an unoccupied seat in a formal setting.
Use 空席 (akiseki) or 空いている席 (soraiteiru) for empty seats in formal contexts.
Using karappo to mean free time.
暇な時間
Examples
Examples
給料日前で財布がからっぽになった。
きゅうりょうびまえでさいふがからっぽになった。
My wallet became empty because it is before payday.
LiteralDescribes a financial situation where money is completely gone.
冷蔵庫がからっぽなので買い物に行かないといけない。
れいぞうこがからっぽなのでかいものにいかないといけない。
I have to go shopping because the fridge is empty.
LiteralCommon usage for food supplies being exhausted.
引っ越しで荷物を全部運んだら、部屋がからっぽになった。
ひっこしでにもつをぜんぶはこんだら、へやがからっぽになった。
After moving all the luggage for the move, the room became empty.
VisualDescribes a room with absolutely no furniture left.
たまには頭をからっぽにして休むことが大切だ。
たまにはあたまをからっぽにしてやすむことがたいせつだ。
Sometimes it is important to clear your head and rest.
FigurativeClearing the mind of worries or stress.
失恋して、心がからっぽになったような気がする。
しつれんして、こころがからっぽになったようなきがする。
After a broken heart, I feel like my heart has become empty.
FigurativeDescribes a feeling of void due to losing someone.
Similar Words
Questions
What is the difference between kara and karappo?
Kara is more formal and objective, while karappo is more emphatic and used in casual daily speech.
Can I use karappo in formal writing?
It is better to use kara or more formal terms like kuuhaku depending on the context.
Is karappo always negative?
Not necessarily. Clearing your head (atama o karappo ni suru) can be a positive thing for mental rest.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 962546598
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- onomatoproject.com/terms/karappo.html
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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