がらくた

noun

junk, rubbish, odds and ends

1. junk, rubbish, odds and ends

Useless or worthless objects; miscellaneous items of little value. Often used for old, broken, or unwanted things cluttering a space.

がらくたを捨(す)てる。

To throw out junk.

押入(おしい)れの中(なか)はがらくたでいっぱいだ。

The closet is full of junk.

引(ひ)っ越(こ)しの前(まえ)に、長年(ながねん)たまったがらくたを整理(せいり)しなければならない。

Before moving, I have to sort through the junk that has accumulated over the years.

がらくた refers to a collection of miscellaneous worthless or useless items that have been kept rather than thrown away. It implies clutter or hoarding rather than outright garbage.

Common collocations

がらくたの山(やま): a pile of junk
がらくたを片付(かたづ)ける: to clean up junk
がらくたを捨(す)てる: to throw out junk
がらくた市(いち): flea market, junk sale
がらくた同然(どうぜん): as good as junk

Similar words

ごみ: garbage, trash (waste to be disposed of immediately)
くず: scraps, waste (often materials like paper or metal)
ガラクタ: katakana spelling also used, especially in casual writing

Usage

Typically refers to old objects cluttering closets, attics, or storage spaces. Has a mildly negative but sometimes nostalgic tone — one person's がらくた might be another's treasure.

Related Words

Compare: ゴミ (garbage, trash)

general

Added 2026.2.10 17:06 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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