散乱

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 散乱, read さんらん, describes scattering in different directions or being spread about in disorder.
• Basic usage: It is used both for branches scattered in a garden and for the scattering of light.
  • 強風の後、庭に枝が散乱していた。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Scattered objects and scattered light
  • 枝が散乱する describes objects lying about in disorder. 光の散乱 refers to light spreading in different directions, shifting the focus away from an everyday judgment of untidiness.