N3209/219

っぱなし

Verb stem + っぱなしV-て + っぱなしNoun + っぱなし

Meanings

  • Leaving something in a certain state
  • Left as is
  • Keep on -ing (leave something running or open, etc.)

About this pattern

Explanation

っぱなし is used to describe that something has been left in a certain state and has remained that way for a period of time. It often implies a sense of neglect or carelessness, and can also express that an action continues unintentionally. It’s commonly attached to the stem form of a verb (the form before る in る-verbs, or the -i/renyou form for godan verbs) or directly to a noun to indicate leaving it as-is. The nuance is less about intention and more about the result of not changing that state.

Learn in context

Example sentences

窓を開けっぱなしにして出かけた。

I left the window open and went out.

電気をつけっぱなしのまま寝てしまった。

I fell asleep with the lights left on.

テレビをつけっぱなしで出かける。

I’m going out with the TV left on.

置きっぱなしの書類を片付けてください。

Please clear the documents that have been left out.

彼はドアを開けっぱなしにして話していた。

He was talking with the door left open.