Meaning and Usage
"拡散" (かくさん) means "scattering" or "diffusion." It is often used to describe the spreading of something physically, like light or particles, or abstractly, such as information or viruses.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "拡散" in contexts related to science (light, particles), health (virus spread), and media (information spreading on social networks).
Collocations and Patterns
- 拡散する: to spread or diffuse
- 拡散を防ぐ: to prevent spreading
- 拡散速度: speed of diffusion
Register and Nuance
"拡散" is a formal noun often used in scientific, medical, or technical contexts. It is not casual and usually appears in written or formal spoken Japanese.
Learner Tips
Be careful not to confuse "拡散" with "拡大" (かくだい), which means "expansion" or "enlargement." "拡散" focuses on spreading out or scattering, while "拡大" emphasizes size increase or scale expansion.