1.
scattered, dotted about, spread here and there
Things being distributed or scattered across an area at intervals rather than clustered together. Used to describe the spatial distribution of buildings, islands, villages, and similar features.
湖に小島が点在している。
Small islands are scattered across the lake.
古い寺院が山の中に点在する。
Old temples are dotted throughout the mountains.
広大な平原に牧場が点在し、のどかな風景が広がっている。
Ranches are scattered across the vast plain, creating a peaceful landscape.
USAGE:
A literary and descriptive term. Almost always used in the suru verb form 点在する or its ている form 点在している. The pattern ～に点在する means "to be scattered across (a place)."
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 島が点在する: islands are scattered
- 集落が点在する: settlements are dotted about
- 遺跡が点在する: ruins are scattered