Meaning
〜っぱなし describes an action or state that remains unfinished or unchanged after being started. It typically carries a negative connotation, suggesting that something undesirable continues or that an important task remains undone. The pattern expresses the speaker's frustration, dissatisfaction, or criticism about the ongoing situation.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 動詞(ます形) | っぱなし |
Examples
-
誰かがエアコンをつけっぱなしにしておいたに違いない。
Someone must have left the air conditioner running without turning it off. -
窓を開けっぱなしにして出かけてきてしまった。
I went out with the window left open. -
今日バスがとても混んでいて、学校までずっと立ちっぱなしだった。
The bus was very crowded today, so I stood the whole way to school.
Summary
- Forms with verb ます-stem + っぱなし to show continued/unfinished states
- Usually negative in tone, expressing the speaker's dissatisfaction or complaint
- Common in daily situations: つけっぱなし (left on), 開けっぱなし (left open), 立ちっぱなし (standing continuously)