ぱらぱらparapara

1. adverb (with と)sprinkling (of rain, salt, etc.); pattering
   屋根やねには雨あめがぱらぱら落おちていた。↗

   Rain was pattering on the roof.
2. adverb (with と)flipping (through a book, etc.); riffling
3. no-adjective, na-adjective, adverb (with と)sparse; scattered; sporadic
4. no-adjective, na-adjective, adverb (with と)crumbly (e.g. tofu, cheese); loose; non-sticky (e.g. rice)

• RelatedまばらNeutralDescribes sparse distribution, as in 「客がまばら」. Focuses on things being thin and scattered; unlike 「ぱらぱら」 it says nothing about falling or sound.
• RelatedしとしとNeutralGentle, continuous drizzle. Compared with the sporadic drops of 「ぱらぱら」, the rain falls more steadily and quietly.
• Related散らばったNeutralA descriptive way to say things are scattered about. It stresses dispersal of things already spread out, not the falling or flipping motion of 「ぱらぱら」.
• Antonym土砂降りどしゃぶりNeutralA downpour, the opposite of 「ぱらぱら」 for rain: heavy, pelting rain rather than drops falling sporadically.

Use 「ぱらぱら」 for rain or grains falling sporadically, or for flipping quickly through a book, as in 「雨がぱらぱら降る」「本をぱらぱらめくる」. For sparse distribution say 「まばら」; for things scattered about, 「散らばった」. For rain, 「土砂降り」 is a downpour and 「しとしと」 a quiet, steady drizzle.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 粒つぶ状じょうのものが少量しょうりょう降ふるさま。また、その音おと。
2. 本ほんをめくるさま。また、その音おと。
3. まばらに離はなれているさま。
4. まばらであるさま。