How to say "disperse" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 薔薇薔薇バラバラna-adjective, no-adjective, adverb, suru verbA mimetic word for the state of things scattered, broken apart, or disconnected — it depicts the result, not the act, so it is not the verb to use for dispersing something.
- 散らばるちらばるgodan verb, intransitive verbThe intransitive choice: people or things scatter in different directions, and objects can be described as scattered or littered about. Suits a crowd breaking up or things lying strewn around.
- 追い払うおいはらうgodan verb, transitive verbDispersing by driving something away: an agent chases off people or animals until they scatter and leave. The emphasis falls on ridding yourself of what you disperse.
- 散らすちらすgodan verb, transitive verbThe general transitive verb: to scatter, spread, or distribute things over an area, or to disperse a gathered group. Use this when someone actively breaks up or spreads out what is gathered.
Use 「散らばる」 for people or things scattering or lying strewn about, 「散らす」 for actively scattering or spreading them, 「追い払う」 for dispersing by driving away, and 薔薇薔薇 for the mimetic description of things broken apart.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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