Meaning and Usage
The verb かさばる means "to be bulky" or "to take up a lot of space." It is often used to describe objects or items that are large and inconvenient to carry or store. This word is commonly used in everyday situations involving luggage, clothing, or packages.
Common Collocations
- かさばる荷物 (bulky luggage): Used when talking about heavy or large bags that are hard to carry.
- かさばる服 (bulky clothes): Refers to clothing that takes up a lot of space, often unsuitable for travel.
- 書類がかさばる (documents are bulky): Describes papers or files that clutter a space.
Register and Nuance
かさばる is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. It emphasizes the physical size and inconvenience caused by the bulkiness of an object.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse かさばる with 重い (heavy). While something bulky may also be heavy, かさばる specifically refers to size and volume rather than weight. For example, a large pillow may be かさばる but not necessarily heavy.