散らす

• Reading: ちらす
• Romaji: chirasu
• Kanji breakdown: 散 (san/chirasu) — scatter, disperse, spread
• Pronunciation: /tɕi.ɾa.sɯ/

Meaning

To scatter; to spread; to disperse. Causing things to spread out in different directions.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb. The transitive counterpart of 散る. Used for scattering physical objects (紙を散らす), dispersing crowds (人を散らす), diverting attention (気を散らす, to distract), and in cooking for garnishing (ネギを散らす, to sprinkle green onions). Also appears in 散らし寿司 (chirashi-zushi, scattered sushi).

Examples

1. 風が落ち葉を散らしていた。 The wind was scattering the fallen leaves.
2. 仕上げにネギを細かく散らした。 I finely chopped the green onions and scattered them on top as a finishing touch.
3. おもちゃを部屋中に散らすのはやめなさい。 Stop scattering your toys all over the room.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, daily life, nature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 散 depicts a hand (攵) separating or breaking apart hemp (㪔). Originally meant 'to break apart and spread.' The transitive form 散らす emphasizes the agent causing the scattering.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal