Translation guide
Describes things being spread out or lying around in a disorderly way across an area. Japanese uses different verbs depending on whether the focus is on the state of being scattered or the action that caused it.
Describe a state where many small objects are spread out over a surface or area.
The most common way to say things are scattered around. It focuses on the resulting state.
床におもちゃが散らばっている。
Toys are scattered around on the floor.
Papers are scattered around on the desk.
More formal or written, often used for a messy, littered state.
公園にゴミが散乱している。
Trash is scattered around the park.
Used for things scattered here and there, often in a more neutral or geographical sense.
この地域には小さな湖が散在している。
Small lakes are scattered around this region.
Describe the act of someone or something causing objects to be scattered.
To scatter things messily, often used for making a room messy.
子供が部屋におもちゃを散らかした。
The child scattered toys around the room.
To scatter or strew things widely, often used for seeds, money, or leaflets.
To scatter or disperse, often used for leaves, hair, or attention.
Describe a group of people or objects being dispersed or located in various places.
Used for things like houses, trees, or people being dotted around an area.
山のふもとに家が点在している。
Houses are scattered around the foot of the mountain.
Intransitive verb for things becoming scattered; can also describe people dispersing.
観客が会場に散らばった。
The audience scattered around the venue.
彼は庭に種をばらまいた。
He scattered seeds around the garden.
The wind scattered the fallen leaves around.