がらがら

がらがら
adverb, na-adjective, noun
rattling; empty
descriptive
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.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS (sound):

COMMON COLLOCATIONS (emptiness):

Describing a place, がらがら conveys that it is noticeably vacant, with far fewer people than expected.

Related words

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

Related Words

Compare: すかすか (sparse)
Compare: 閑散(かんさん) (deserted)
general
Added 2026.1.16 8:56 · Revised 2026.10.14 22:34
04500/04820_garagara