Ling san describes things that are scattered, fragmented, and not concentrated.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Scattered, fragmented, not concentrated.
- Used for items, information, time, people.
- Implies lack of wholeness or order.
Overview
零散 (língsǎn) 是一个形容词，用来描述事物不集中、不完整、分散的状态。它强调的是一种缺乏条理、不成系统、分布不均的特点。这个词语的适用范围很广，可以用来形容具体的物品，也可以用来形容抽象的概念，如时间、信息、思绪等。
零散常用来形容：
**人群或个体**：指人不多，分散开，没有聚集在一起。
它通常不单独使用，而是与名词搭配，或者用在“把...弄得零散”、“显得零散”等结构中。
在日常生活中，我们可能会听到或用到“零散”这个词。
- 购物：买一些零散的商品，比如散装的糖果、茶叶。
- 工作/学习：处理一些零散的事务，或者学习一些零散的知识点。
- 生活：时间比较零散，被家务事打断；或者看到路边零散的行人。
- 信息获取：从网络上获取一些零散的信息，需要自己整理。
在一些稍微正式的场合，也可以用来形容不集中的资源或不完整的计划。
与“零散”相近的词语包括：“分散”、“零碎”、“片段”、“杂乱”。
- 分散 (fēnsàn)：更侧重于分布范围广，离开了中心或集合点。例如，‘人群分散开了’。
- 零碎 (língsuì)：常用来形容小而散的物品，或者不连续、不完整的时间、事情。与“零散”非常接近，有时可以互换，但“零碎”更强调细小、不成套。
- 片段 (piànduàn)：特指事物被分割成的部分，强调不完整性，常用于信息、记忆、时间等。例如，“记忆的片段”。
- 杂乱 (záluàn)：强调无序、混乱，与“零散”不同，“零散”不一定意味着混乱，只是不集中。
Examples
我买了一些零散的糖果。
everydayI bought some scattered candies.
他收集了许多关于那个历史事件的零散信息。
academicHe collected a lot of fragmented information about that historical event.
今天的工作时间比较零散，被好几个电话打断了。
informalMy work time today was sporadic, interrupted by several phone calls.
由于缺乏统一规划，各项工作显得有些零散。
formalDue to a lack of unified planning, the various tasks appeared somewhat disjointed.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
零敲碎打
do odd jobs; piecemeal work
零打碎敲
work in fits and starts; do odd jobs
Often Confused With
'Ling san' emphasizes fragmentation and lack of wholeness, often about items or information. 'Fensan' focuses more on spreading out from a central point, like people dispersing.
'Ling sui' often implies small, trivial, or broken pieces, especially for objects or time. 'Ling san' is broader, covering anything not concentrated or systematic.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Ling san is a versatile adjective used to describe things that are not gathered together or are incomplete. It can apply to physical objects, abstract concepts like time or information, and even people. The key idea is a lack of concentration or wholeness.
Common Mistakes
Avoid using 'ling san' when something is clearly organized, complete, or in one place. For instance, don't call a well-structured report 'ling san'. Also, be mindful of the nuance compared to 'fensan' (dispersed) or 'lingsui' (fragmentary/trivial).
Tips
Think 'disjointed' or 'piecewise'.
Use 'ling san' when describing things that aren't whole or together. It's about being spread out rather than in one place.
Avoid for highly organized things.
Don't use 'ling san' for something that is complete, structured, or very orderly. It implies a lack of concentration.
Common in daily life.
The concept of 'ling san' reflects the reality of managing many small tasks or dealing with fragmented information in modern life.
Word Origin
The word 'ling san' (零散) combines 'ling' (零), meaning zero or small amount, and 'san' (散), meaning scattered or loose. Together, they vividly convey the idea of being small, scattered, and not forming a whole.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, there's often an appreciation for order and completeness. 'Ling san' describes the opposite, highlighting situations where things are not neatly arranged or fully formed, which is a common reality in daily life.
Memory Tip
Imagine finding small, scattered pieces (ling san) of a puzzle all over the floor instead of in one neat box.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“零散”更强调事物不集中、不成整体的状态，可以指物品、信息等。而“分散”更侧重于离开中心或集合点，分布范围变广，常用于人群、军队等。
可以，但通常指人不多，而且没有聚集在一起，各自散开的状态。例如，“街上只有零散的几个行人”。
它们非常接近，很多时候可以互换。但“零碎”更常用于形容细小、不成套的物品或不连续的时间、事情，强调细微和不完整。
当你想强调事物非常混乱、无序时，用“杂乱”可能更合适。另外，当事物非常完整、集中或系统化时，则不应使用“零散”。
Test Yourself
我只有一些______的资料，还需要整理才能写成报告。
句意是资料不完整、不成系统，需要整理，符合“零散”的含义。
“零散”最接近以下哪个描述？
“零散”的核心意思就是事物不集中，不成一个整体，而是分散的状态。
用“零散”描述信息。
这个句子清晰地表达了信息不集中、不成系统，导致难以形成整体概念的含义，是“零散”的典型用法。
Score: /3
Summary
Ling san describes things that are scattered, fragmented, and not concentrated.
- Scattered, fragmented, not concentrated.
- Used for items, information, time, people.
- Implies lack of wholeness or order.
Think 'disjointed' or 'piecewise'.
Use 'ling san' when describing things that aren't whole or together. It's about being spread out rather than in one place.
Avoid for highly organized things.
Don't use 'ling san' for something that is complete, structured, or very orderly. It implies a lack of concentration.
Common in daily life.
The concept of 'ling san' reflects the reality of managing many small tasks or dealing with fragmented information in modern life.
Examples
4 of 4我买了一些零散的糖果。
I bought some scattered candies.
他收集了许多关于那个历史事件的零散信息。
He collected a lot of fragmented information about that historical event.
今天的工作时间比较零散，被好几个电话打断了。
My work time today was sporadic, interrupted by several phone calls.
由于缺乏统一规划，各项工作显得有些零散。
Due to a lack of unified planning, the various tasks appeared somewhat disjointed.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More academic words
缺席
B1The state of being absent from a place or event where one is expected to be, such as a class, meeting, or ceremony.
抽象的
A2Abstract.
抽象地
B1In an abstract manner; conceptually.
艰深
B1Profound; abstruse; recondite.
学术性
A2Academic; scholarly; relating to education and scholarship.
学术化
B1Academic; characterized by formal study or research.
学术会议
A2Academic conference; a formal meeting for academic discussions.
学术交流
B1Exchange of ideas, information, and research among scholars.
学术期刊
B1A periodical publication containing scholarly articles.
教务处
A2Academic affairs office; department handling educational administration.
