がらくた

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()てる。
To throw out junk.
押入(おしい)れの(なか)はがらくたでいっぱいだ。
The closet is full of junk.
()()しの(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(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()てる: to throw out junk
  • がらくた(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.