まばら

まばら
na-adjective
sparse, scattered, thin
descriptive
1. sparse, scattered, thin, patchy
Describes things that are spread out with gaps between them, not dense or concentrated.
(きゃく)まばらだった。
There were only a few scattered customers.
Scattered applause arose.
On weekday mornings there are few people, so I could shop at a leisurely pace.

Forms

  • Attributive: まばらな + noun
  • Predicate: まばらだ

Writing

The kanji (まばら) exists but is rarely used. Hiragana is standard.

Usage

Implies a lack of density that is noticeable. Often used for people in a space, vegetation, hair, or applause. Can imply a somewhat lonely or desolate atmosphere.

Common collocations