Translation guide
The English word 'scattering' can refer to the act of dispersing things, the state of being spread out, or a small, dispersed amount. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for these meanings.
To describe the action of scattering objects, seeds, ashes, etc., by throwing, sprinkling, or spreading them.
General verb for scattering or sprinkling seeds, water, etc. Transitive.
庭に種をまいた。
I scattered seeds in the garden.
To scatter things carelessly or widely, often with a nuance of disorder. Transitive.
彼は書類を床にばらまいた。
He scattered the papers on the floor.
To scatter or disperse things, often implying they were gathered before. Transitive.
風が落ち葉を散らした。
The wind scattered the fallen leaves.
Formal/technical term for scattering or distributing, e.g., pesticides, flyers. Transitive.
農薬を散布する。
To scatter/spray agricultural chemicals.
To describe things that are scattered around, not gathered together.
Describes a state where things are scattered around. Intransitive.
おもちゃが部屋中に散らばっている。
Toys are scattered all over the room.
To be scattered here and there, often used for objects or locations. Intransitive.
この地域には小さな湖が散在している。
Small lakes are scattered throughout this region.
To be dotted or scattered, often for small things like houses or trees. Intransitive.
山のふもとに家が点在している。
Houses are scattered at the foot of the mountain.
To refer to a small number or amount of things spread out, like a scattering of stars or people.
Adjective meaning sparse, thin, or scattered. Used before a noun.
まばらな拍手が聞こえた。
A scattering of applause was heard.
Pattern to say something exists sparsely or scattered.
星がまばらにある空。
A sky with a scattering of stars.
Adverb describing something appearing here and there in small numbers, often used for people or flowers.
まく is used for intentional scattering like sowing seeds or sprinkling water. 散らす implies making a mess or dispersing things that were together, often with a negative or disorderly nuance.
花に水をまく。
To water the flowers (sprinkle water).
子供がおもちゃを散らかした。
The child scattered toys (made a mess).
散乱する (sanran suru) is a technical term for physical scattering of light or particles, and sounds unnatural for everyday scattering of objects.
光が散乱する。
Light scatters.
会場にはちらほらと人がいた。
There was a scattering of people at the venue.