disperso
“disperso” means “scattered” in Spanish (physically spread out).
scattered, distracted
Also: spread out, scatterbrained
📝 In Action
Las casas en este pueblo están muy dispersas.
A2The houses in this town are very spread out.
Había varios juguetes dispersos por el suelo del salón.
B1There were several toys scattered across the living room floor.
Perdona, hoy me siento un poco disperso y no me concentro.
B2Sorry, I feel a bit distracted today and I can't concentrate.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: disperso
Question 1 of 3
If you have many ideas but can't focus on one, how do you feel?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'dispersus,' which is the past form of a verb meaning 'to throw or scatter in different directions.'
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'disperso' the same as 'distraído'?
They are very close! 'Distraído' usually means you are looking at something else (distracted), while 'disperso' means your thoughts are going in too many different directions at once (unfocused).
Can I use 'disperso' for liquids?
Not usually. For liquids, we prefer 'derramado' (spilled) or 'esparcido' (spread out). 'Disperso' is better for solid objects or people.
What is the difference between 'disperso' and 'dispersado'?
'Disperso' is usually used as a description (an adjective). 'Dispersado' is the action form (the participle) used when something was actively scattered by a force, like 'The police dispersed the crowd.'