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(おと)がした。

There was a rattling sound.

ドアをがらがらと開(あ)けた。

I rattled open the door.

がらがらうがいをしてから寝(ね)る。

I gargle before going to bed.

2. empty, deserted

Describing a place that is vacant or has few people.

電車(でんしゃ)ががらがらだった。

The train was empty.

平日(へいじつ)なので店(みせ)はがらがらです。

Since it's a weekday, the store is empty.

朝(あさ)早(はや)い時間(じかん)は、道(みち)ががらがらで運転(うんてん)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(あ)ける: to slide open a door with a rattle
喉(のど)をがらがら鳴(な)らす: to clear one's throat noisily
がらがらうがい: gargling

Emptiness (NA-ADJECTIVE)

電車(でんしゃ)ががらがらだ: the train is empty
店(みせ)ががらがらだ: the store is deserted
がらがらに空(す)いている: completely empty

Related words

がらんとした: empty and echoey (for rooms/spaces)
がらがら声(ごえ): hoarse voice

Note: When describing emptiness, conveys that a place is noticeably vacant or has far fewer people than expected.

Related Words

Compare: すかすか (sparse)

general

Added 2026.1.16 8:56 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

04500/04820_garagara