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synonym Comparative
蔓延
VS
ばらまく

Differences Between "蔓延" and "ばらまく"

Option A
蔓延
Meaning
spread, prevalence, rampant (of disease, bad habits, rumors)
Reading
まんえん (man'en)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
デマがSNS上で急速に蔓延している。
Rumors are rapidly spreading on social media.
Option B
ばらまく
Meaning
to scatter; to spread; to distribute widely (often carelessly or excessively)
Reading
ばらまく (baramaku)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
彼はポケットから小銭をばらまいてしまった。
He scattered coins from his pocket.

Which one to use?

Select the correct Japanese word for this context

Which word fits this context: "(spread, prevalence, rampant (of disease, bad habits, rumors))"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 蔓延: Implies something undesirable (e.g., disease, rumors, bad habits, corruption, social problems) spreading widely and often uncontrollably throughout an area or population. It almost always carries a negative connotation. Usually used with 〜する.
- ばらまく: Implies scattering or distributing something widely, often without much thought, sometimes wastefully. Can be used literally for physical objects (e.g., seeds, money) or figuratively for non-physical things (e.g., information, rumors).
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