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杂乱
zá luàn
What does "杂乱" mean in English?
messy房间里的东西非常杂乱。
The room is very messy.
How to use "杂乱" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
neutral
In a state of disarray or disorder; untidy.
桌子上杂乱地堆放着书和文件。
Books and documents are piled messily on the desk.
她的思绪杂乱无章，无法集中注意力。
Her thoughts were chaotic, and she couldn't concentrate.
Used to describe physical spaces, thoughts, or abstract systems that lack organization.
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 杂乱 from similar words
杂乱 emphasizes a lack of organization, while 凌乱 (língluàn) focuses on untidiness. 混乱 (hǔnluàn) implies active disorder or chaos. Use 杂乱 for static disarray (e.g., a messy desk) and 混乱 for dynamic chaos (e.g., a riot).
Gold Rule
When to use 杂乱
Use 杂乱 when the disorder is overwhelming but not necessarily chaotic. It often describes a state that could be improved with effort (e.g., 'a messy room'). Avoid using it for abstract systems like 'chaotic economy'—use 混乱 instead.
Word Origin
Combines 杂 (zá, mixed/heterogeneous) and 乱 (luàn, disordered). The compound emphasizes a lack of order beyond mere untidiness, often implying a haphazard or overwhelming state.
Usage Notes
杂乱 can describe both physical clutter and mental confusion. It is more neutral than 肮脏 (dirty) and less severe than 混乱 (chaos). Commonly used in everyday speech and writing.
Word Breakdown
杂
mixed; heterogeneous
root乱
disordered; chaotic
root汉英词典