やらかす

• Reading: やらかす
• Romaji: yarakasu
• Pronunciation: /ja.ɾa.ka.sɯ/

Meaning

To screw up, make a blunder, or do something regrettably stupid — implies an avoidable mistake with consequences.

やらかす is the go-to word for 'I messed up' in casual Japanese. It implies doing something dumb, careless, or reckless that leads to trouble. The past tense やらかした is especially common as a confession or lament. It can range from minor blunders (forgetting your wallet) to major disasters (saying something terrible at a party), but always carries the nuance that the mistake was preventable.

Examples

1. また寝坊してやらかした、上司に怒られる。 I overslept again and screwed up — my boss is gonna be mad.
2. 飲み会でやらかしたらしいけど、何も覚えてない。 Apparently I did something stupid at the drinking party, but I don't remember a thing.
3. やらかす前に確認しろって何回言ったらわかるの。 How many times do I have to tell you to double-check before you screw up?

Usage Guide

Context: friends, social media, casual conversation, workplace gossip

Tone: self-deprecating, alarmed, gossipy

Do Say

• やらかした！財布家に忘れてきた。 (I screwed up! I left my wallet at home.)
• あいつまたやらかしたらしいよ。 (I heard that person messed up again.)

Don't Say

• フォーマルな場で「やらかしました」は砕けすぎる — 失敗しました or ミスをしました を使う (Saying 'yarakashimashita' in formal settings is too casual — use 失敗しました or ミスをしました)

Common Mistakes

• Using やらかす for intentional bad actions — it implies the mistake was accidental or careless, not deliberate
• Not knowing the very common past tense form やらかした, which is used far more often than the dictionary form

Origin & History

Derived from やる (to do) with the intensifying suffix -かす, giving it the meaning of 'to do something (bad/reckless).' Has been in casual use for decades, with increased frequency in internet culture from the 2000s.

Cultural Context

Era: Long-standing casual expression, internet boost from 2000s

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal informal

Regional notes: Used nationwide. One of the most natural ways to say 'I messed up' in casual Japanese.