Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the idea of propagation in Japanese, including spreading of information, ideas, plants, waves, and other phenomena. The most common and versatile word is 広がる/広げる, but other terms are used for specific contexts like transmission, breeding, or religious propagation.
To describe how something intangible like a rumor, idea, or trend spreads among people or through society.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to spread' or 'to extend'. Used when the subject is the thing that spreads. Common for rumors, trends, and ideas.
その噂はすぐに広がった。
The rumor spread quickly.
新しいトレンドが世界中に広がっている。
A new trend is spreading around the world.
Transitive verb meaning 'to spread' or 'to expand'. Used when someone or something actively spreads something else.
彼はそのアイデアを広げようとした。
He tried to spread the idea.
Noun or suru-verb meaning 'transmission' or 'propagation'. Often used in technical or formal contexts, such as the spread of information, culture, or disease.
情報の伝播が速い。
The propagation of information is fast.
Noun or suru-verb meaning 'circulation' or 'spread', especially of rumors or information. Often used in written or formal contexts.
誤った情報が流布した。
False information was circulated.
To describe the process of growing new plants from seeds, cuttings, or other methods.
Noun or suru-verb meaning 'breeding' or 'propagation'. Used for plants and animals. Common in gardening and biology.
この植物は挿し木で繁殖できる。
This plant can be propagated by cuttings.
Transitive verb meaning 'to increase' or 'to multiply'. In gardening, it means to propagate plants by various methods.
Noun meaning 'raising seedlings' or 'nursery'. Refers to the early stage of plant propagation.
To describe how physical phenomena like waves, light, or sound travel through a medium or space.
Noun or suru-verb meaning 'propagation' in a physical sense. Used in physics and engineering.
音の伝播速度は空気中で約340メートル毎秒です。
The propagation speed of sound in air is about 340 meters per second.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be transmitted' or 'to travel'. Used for sound, heat, vibrations, etc.
Can also be used for waves spreading out, like ripples or light.
To describe the act of spreading a faith or doctrine.
Noun or suru-verb meaning 'propagation of religion' or 'missionary work'. Specifically used for spreading religious teachings.
彼は海外で布教活動をしている。
He is engaged in propagation activities overseas.
Noun or suru-verb meaning 'evangelism' or 'missionary work'. Often used in Christian contexts.
Transitive verb meaning 'to spread' or 'to propagate'. Can be used for beliefs or teachings in a general sense.
To describe how something physical like a crack, fire, or disease spreads outward.
Intransitive verb for physical spread, such as fire, cracks, or stains.
火が森全体に広がった。
The fire propagated throughout the forest.
ひびが壁に広がっている。
Cracks are propagating on the wall.
Noun or suru-verb meaning 'expansion' or 'enlargement'. Can be used for the spread of something undesirable like damage.
広がる (intransitive) is used when the subject itself spreads. 広げる (transitive) is used when someone or something causes the spread. Compare: 噂が広がる (The rumor spreads) vs. 噂を広げる (Spread the rumor).
The English word 'propagation' is often translated as 伝播, but this is a formal/technical term. In everyday conversation, use 広がる/広げる or more specific verbs depending on context.
Propagate plants by division.
育苗ハウスで苗を育てる。
Grow seedlings in a propagation house.
振動が壁を伝わる。
Vibrations propagate through the wall.
光が四方に広がる。
Light propagates in all directions.
伝道師として働く。
Work as a missionary.
その教えを広めるために旅をした。
He traveled to propagate the teachings.
被害が拡大した。
The damage propagated/spread.