adverb taking the 'to' particle, taru-adjective
in pieces; in scraps; fluttering
Describes something broken into small fragments or fluttering lightly. Often used with と (へんぺんと) as an adverb.
枯れ葉がへんぺんと舞い散る。
Dead leaves flutter down in pieces.
taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle
fragmentary; scrappy
Used for knowledge, information, or memories that are incomplete and disjointed. Literary and somewhat rare.
彼の話はへんぺんたる知識の寄せ集めに過ぎない。
His talk is nothing more than a collection of fragmentary knowledge.
taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle
Describes something so small or trivial as to be unimportant. Literary usage, often in the form へんぺんたる.
そんなへんぺんたる問題に時間をかけるな。
Don't waste time on such a trifling matter.
断片 is a common noun meaning 'fragment' or 'piece', while 片片 is a literary adjective/adverb describing the state of being in pieces or fragmentary.
Reduplication of 片 (へん, 'piece, fragment'), emphasizing smallness or scatteredness. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the form follows a common pattern in literary Japanese.