1.
dispersal; retreat; scattering; running away
Leaving or fleeing from a place, often in a hurry. Can describe a group scattering or a single person retreating. Often used with a slightly humorous or light tone.
雨が降り出して皆退散した。
Everyone scattered when it started raining.
悪霊退散！
Evil spirits, begone!
上司の機嫌が悪いと聞いて、社員たちは早々に退散した。
Hearing that the boss was in a bad mood, the employees quickly retreated.
退散 is a noun that can function as a suru verb (退散する). It implies leaving to get away from an unpleasant or undesirable situation.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 悪霊退散 (evil spirits begone — a ritual incantation)
- 早々に退散する (beat a quick retreat)
- 蜘蛛の子を散らすように退散する (scatter like baby spiders)
The phrase 悪霊退散 is a well-known expression from Shinto and Buddhist exorcism rituals. In everyday usage, 退散する often carries a light, humorous tone, suggesting someone leaves not out of serious danger but to avoid an awkward or unpleasant situation.