抜(ぬ)け殻(がら)

ぬけがら
noun
cast-off skin; empty shell; husk
nature
1. cast-off skin; empty shell
The shed skin of an insect or snake. Literally, the shell left behind after a creature has emerged from it.
セミの抜(ぬ)け殻(がら)を見(み)つけた。
I found a cicada's empty shell.
木(き)の幹(みき)に蛇(へび)の抜(ぬ)け殻(がら)がついていた。
A snake's shed skin was clinging to a tree trunk.
子(こ)どもの頃(ころ)、セミの抜(ぬ)け殻(がら)を集(あつ)めるのが好(す)きだった。
As a child, I liked collecting cicada shells.
2. empty shell of a person; lifeless state
A person who has lost their energy, spirit, or motivation and seems hollow or absent. Used figuratively.
彼(かれ)は抜(ぬ)け殻(がら)のようだった。
He was like an empty shell.
恋人(こいびと)に去(さ)られて抜(ぬ)け殻(がら)になった。
After being left by my partner, I became an empty shell.
大(おお)きなプロジェクトが終(お)わって、抜(ぬ)け殻(がら)のような気分(きぶん)だ。
Now that the big project is over, I feel like an empty husk.

Usage

Sense 1 is literal — the shed exoskeleton of insects (especially cicadas) or snakeskin. Collecting cicada shells (蝉(せみ)の抜(ぬ)け殻(がら)) is a common childhood activity in Japan. Sense 2 is figurative, describing someone who seems hollow or devoid of energy.

Common collocations

  • セミの抜(ぬ)け殻(がら) (cicada shell)
  • 蛇(へび)の抜(ぬ)け殻(がら) (snakeskin — considered a good luck charm)
  • 抜(ぬ)け殻(がら)のように (like an empty shell)

Cultural note

A 蛇(へび)の抜(ぬ)け殻(がら) (shed snakeskin) is traditionally believed to bring good luck with money in Japan. Some people keep one in their wallet.

general
Added 2026.3.15 13:31 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
16500/16958_nukegara