A piece of old, worn or torn cloth; a rag used for cleaning or as old fabric.
床の汚れをぼろで拭いた。
I wiped the dirt on the floor with a rag.
古いぼろを雑巾に使う。
I use an old rag as a cleaning cloth.
彼はぼろを集めてふきんにしている。
He collects rags and turns them into dishcloths.
Tattered or shabby clothes; ragged garments.
雨に降られて、彼の服はぼろになった。
He got caught in the rain and his clothes became ragged.
ホームレスの男性がぼろを着て座っていた。
A homeless man was sitting wearing tattered clothes.
寒いのに彼女はぼろしか持っていなかった。
Despite the cold, she only had ragged clothes.
A fault or weak point; a defect someone is trying to hide (often used in expressions like 'to show one's weakness' — ぼろを出す / ぼろが出る).
嘘をついていた彼はついにぼろを出した。
He who had been lying finally showed his weakness / was found out.
計画の細かい点でぼろが出た。
Flaws in the plan showed up in the details.
面接で緊張して、彼の準備不足のぼろが出た。
He got nervous in the interview and his lack of preparation was exposed.
Describing something worn-out or run-down; used prenominally (e.g., 'a shabby ~').
ぼろの車で長い旅をした。
We took a long trip in an old, beat-up car.
あのぼろの家には誰も住んでいないようだ。
That run-down house seems to be unoccupied.
彼はぼろの靴を何年も履いている。
He has been wearing the same worn-out shoes for years.