Translation guide
Expresses scattered locations, movement to various places, or sporadic occurrence. Japanese uses adverbs like あちこち, ところどころ, or mimetic words like ちらほら depending on the nuance.
Describing things located in multiple, often random, places within an area.
Most common and versatile. Can refer to locations, directions, or body parts. Used for both static locations and movement.
公園にはあちこちにベンチがある。
There are benches here and there in the park.
あちこち痛い。
I hurt here and there (all over).
Slightly more formal or emphatic than あちこち. Often implies a wider area or more scattered distribution.
あちらこちらで花が咲いている。
Flowers are blooming here and there.
Focuses on specific spots or patches, often used for visible things like colors, stains, or damage. More concrete than あちこち.
壁のところどころにひびが入っている。
There are cracks here and there on the wall.
ところどころ雪が残っている。
Patches of snow remain here and there.
Mimetic word for things appearing sporadically and in small numbers, often people or flowers. Implies a scattered, sparse presence.
会場にはちらほらと人が集まり始めた。
People started gathering here and there at the venue.
Describing movement or travel to multiple, often unspecified, locations.
Works for both static locations and movement. With verbs like 行く (go) or 歩く (walk), it means going to various places.
休みの日はあちこち出かける。
On my days off, I go out here and there.
彼はあちこち旅行している。
He travels here and there.
Idiomatic phrase emphasizing back-and-forth or aimless movement. Casual.
子供たちがあっちへ行ったりこっちへ来たりしている。
The kids are running here and there.
Describing events or actions that happen at irregular intervals or in a scattered manner.
Used for things that appear or happen sporadically, like news, rumors, or sightings. Often with 聞く (hear) or 見える (be visible).
うわさをちらほら聞く。
I hear rumors here and there.
紅葉がちらほら見られるようになった。
Autumn leaves can be seen here and there now.
Mimetic word for things happening little by little or in scattered instances. Can also mean 'gradually'.
あちこち is general and can be used for both locations and movement. ところどころ emphasizes specific spots or patches, often visual. Use ところどころ for things like stains, damage, or patches of color; use あちこち for more abstract or wide-ranging distribution.
あちこち探したが見つからなかった。
I searched here and there but couldn't find it.
ところどころに花が植えてある。
Flowers are planted here and there (in specific spots).
Do not translate 'here and there' word-for-word as ここ と そこ. This is unnatural in Japanese. Use the adverbs listed above.
Similar to あちこち but can sound more deliberate or wider-ranging.
引っ越しの準備であちらこちら走り回った。
I ran around here and there preparing for the move.
ぽつぽつと雨が降り出した。
Rain started falling here and there (in scattered drops).
問い合わせがぽつぽつ来ている。
Inquiries are coming in here and there.
Can be used for sporadic events when emphasizing specific points in time or space, but less common than ちらほら for frequency.
ところどころで拍手が起こった。
Applause broke out here and there.