Leaving something as-is with 〜っぱなし

Grammar: Condition » 〜っぱなし

っぱなし is appended to a verb stem to show that something has been left in the state or condition from that action, with a negative connotation to leaving it as such.

ぱなし comes from the verb 放(はな)す.

Examples

Leaving a door unlocked with 〜っぱなし

Blue tries to sneak into Masaki’s cottage, but the door is locked.

ブルー:

「開(あ)けっぱなし…なわけないか。まあいいわ。」

“There's no way it'd be leftunlocked. Well, that's fine.”

Leaving the futon out with 〜っぱなし

Yotsuba invites her neighbors over for coffee. She first gives the three a tour of the house, leading up to the kitchen.

風香(ふうか):

「洗(あら)い物(もの)がたまってるのが気(き)になる…」

“It bothers me that these dishes are piled up...”

あさぎ:

「私(わたし)は廊下(ろうか)のスミにホコリがたまってるのが気(き)になる」

“What bothers me is the dust built up in the hallway.”

恵那(えな):

「おふとんだしっぱなしが気(き)になる」

“It bothers me that the futon is leftlaying out.”

Leaving toys scattered about with 〜っぱなし

Chi’s mother comes into the room.

お母(かあ)さん:

「おもちゃ散(ち)らかりっぱなしだよ。」

“Your toys are leftscattered about.”

The use of っぱなし means that Chi has scattered her toys out earlier, and they are still scattered out. This has a negative connotation, as Chi should have put her toys away after playing with them.