Japanese word

広げる

Pronunciation

Romajihirogeru

Meaning

  • verbspread

Example

地図を広げます。chi zu o hiro ge ma su

I spread out the map.

Illustration for 広げる (spread)

More examples

鳥が羽を広げます。tori ga hane o hiro ge ma su

A bird spreads its wings.

Core concept

Describes making something cover more space or reach a wider range, from a folded map to the scope of a discussion.

Common phrases

  • 傘を広げるkasa o hiro ge ru

    open an umbrella

  • 両手を広げるryō te o hiro ge ru

    spread one's arms

  • 地図を広げるchi zu o hiro ge ru

    spread out a map

  • 話を広げるhanashi o hiro ge ru

    expand the discussion

Similar words

拡大するkakudaisuru: To make the size, scale, or scope of something larger.
広めるhiromeru: To cause information, influence, or knowledge to reach more people.
開くaku: To unfold or separate something so that its full surface becomes visible.
広がるhirogaru: Describes something extending over more space or reaching a wider range without a stated agent.

Definition in Japanese

物や範囲を、外側へ伸ばして大きくする。mono ya han i o soto gawa e no ba shi te ō ki ku su ru

Word origin

The native verb 広げる (hirogeru) is related to 広い (hiroi, "wide") and 広がる (hirogaru, "spread out"), expressing the act of making something wide or spread.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English spread, the transitive verb 広げる (hirogeru) normally takes を (o), while the intransitive counterpart 広がる (hirogaru) describes something spreading on its own.

Other meanings

  • broadenverb
  • enlargeverb
  • expandverb
  • extendverb
  • widenverb

Opposites

  • 狭めるsebamerunarrowverb

Related words

Word lists with this word