Translation guide
The English word 'throughout' can express spatial coverage, temporal duration, or distribution. Japanese uses different structures depending on the nuance: location-wide, time-period-long, or scattered across.
To say something exists or happens in all areas of a location.
Attach 中 (じゅう) to a place noun to mean 'throughout' or 'all over'. Use に for existence or static location, で for actions.
そのニュースは世界中に広まった。
The news spread throughout the world.
彼の名前は国中で知られている。
His name is known throughout the country.
Literally 'to every place', this emphasizes that something is found everywhere in a location. Slightly more formal or emphatic than 〜中.
公園の至る所に花が咲いていた。
Flowers were blooming throughout the park.
Means 'all over' a surface or area, often used for things like snow, grass, or posters covering a space.
床一面に本が散らばっていた。
Books were scattered throughout the floor.
To say something continues or happens repeatedly over an entire time span.
Attach 中 (じゅう) to a time noun (e.g., 一日中, 一年中) or use の間中 (のあいだじゅう) for specific periods. Both mean 'all through' that time.
彼は一晩中勉強した。
He studied throughout the night.
会議の間中、彼は黙っていた。
He remained silent throughout the meeting.
Means 'throughout' a period, often implying continuity or consistency. Can also mean 'through' as a medium.
彼女は生涯を通して貧しい人々を助けた。
She helped the poor throughout her life.
An adverb meaning 'all the time' or 'throughout', often used with a time expression. Casual.
To say something is scattered or found in various sections of a book, speech, etc.
Means 'here and there throughout', used for things appearing in many places within a text, film, etc.
彼の小説にはユーモアが随所に見られる。
Humor can be found throughout his novels.
Literally 'here and there', more casual than 随所に. Used for physical spaces or texts.
町のあちこちにポスターが貼ってあった。
Posters were put up throughout the town.
When 中 is read as じゅう, it means 'throughout' (all over space or all through time). When read as ちゅう, it means 'in the middle of' or 'during' an ongoing action. Compare: 世界中 (せかいじゅう, throughout the world) vs. 仕事中 (しごとちゅう, in the middle of work).
English 'throughout' often corresponds to Japanese patterns like 〜中 (じゅう) or 〜を通して, not a standalone adverb. Using a direct translation like 通して alone can be unnatural.
It rained throughout the summer.