～っぱなし

How to form it

• Verb (ます-stem) + っぱなし

Register: Casual

Explanation

Describes a state that is left as it is when it should have been changed, or an action that goes on continuously without a break.

Often carries criticism of negligence ('left it open') or complaint about a tiring continuous action ('standing all day').

Examples

1. 窓を開けっぱなしにして、出かけてしまった。

   まどをあけっぱなしにして、でかけてしまった。

   I went out leaving the window open.

2. 電気がつけっぱなしだ。

   でんきがつけっぱなしだ。

   The light has been left on.

3. 昨日は一日中、立ちっぱなしだった。

   きのうはいちにちじゅう、たちっぱなしだった。

   Yesterday I was on my feet the whole day.

Compare with

• ～きる / ～きれない: きる means 'completely'; っぱなし means 'left in a state' or 'continuing without a pause'.

Common mistakes

• Using it for neutral continuous actions. It tends to imply neglect or strain.