がらがら
がらがら
adverb, na-adjective, noun
rattling; empty
1.
rattling sound
An onomatopoeia for a rattling or clattering noise.
がらがらと音がした。
There was a rattling sound.
ドアをがらがらと開けた。
I rattled open the door.
がらがらうがいをしてから寝る。
I gargle before going to bed.
2.
empty, deserted
Describing a place that is vacant or has few people.
電車ががらがらだった。
The train was empty.
平日なので店はがらがらです。
Since it's a weekday, the store is empty.
朝早い時間は、道ががらがらで運転しやすい。
Early in the morning, the roads are empty and easy to drive on.
がらがら is an onomatopoeia with two main meanings: rattling sounds and emptiness.
SOUND (ONOMATOPOEIA):
- ドアをがらがらと開ける: to slide open a door with a rattle
- 喉をがらがら鳴らす: to clear one's throat noisily
- がらがらうがい: gargling
EMPTINESS (NA-ADJECTIVE):
- 電車ががらがらだ: the train is empty
- 店ががらがらだ: the store is deserted
- がらがらに空いている: completely empty
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- がらんとした: empty and echoey (for rooms/spaces)
- がらがら声: hoarse voice
Note: When describing emptiness, conveys that a place is noticeably vacant or has far fewer people than expected.