Translation guide
This English phrase describes something that extends or is distributed across an entire area, group, or period. Japanese expresses this with verbs, adverbs, and set phrases depending on what is spreading and the nuance.
To say that something (a substance, smell, light, etc.) spreads or is found all over a place.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to spread, extend, be prevalent'. Used for things like fire, rumors, smells, or landscapes.
火事が町中に広がった。
The fire spread throughout the town.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to spread throughout, permeate'. Often used for things like light, warmth, or information reaching every corner.
日光が部屋中に行き渡っている。
Sunlight spreads throughout the room.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to spread, be rampant'. Used for negative things like disease, weeds, or bad influences.
伝染病が国中に蔓延した。
The epidemic spread throughout the country.
To say that something (a practice, belief, technology) is common or present in many parts of an organization, society, or network.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to spread, become widespread'. Used for technology, ideas, or customs.
スマートフォンが世界中に普及した。
Smartphones have spread throughout the world.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to permeate, spread through'. Emphasizes gradual penetration into a group or system.
新しい考え方が社会に浸透した。
The new way of thinking spread throughout society.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to spread, become popular'. Often used for rumors, news, or trends.
To say that a theme, word, or idea appears repeatedly across a book, article, or conversation.
Pattern meaning 'are scattered throughout'. Used for elements like quotes, references, or motifs.
彼の小説にはユーモアが全体に散りばめられている。
Humor is spread throughout his novel.
Phrase meaning 'can be seen everywhere (in the text)'. Formal/written.
この論文には誤りが随所に見られる。
Errors are spread throughout this paper.
To say that something happens or exists over the whole duration of a period.
Pattern meaning 'throughout (a period)'. Used with time nouns.
その問題は歴史を通して見られる。
The problem is seen spread throughout history.
Suffix meaning 'throughout, all over'. Attached to time or place nouns.
一年中暖かい。
It's warm spread throughout the year.
Both mean 'to spread', but 広がる is for physical or spatial expansion (fire, view), while 広まる is for abstract things becoming widely known or popular (rumors, ideas).
English 'spread throughout' often becomes unnatural if directly translated word-for-word. Use the appropriate Japanese verb or pattern based on what is spreading and the context.
その噂は学校中に広まった。
The rumor spread throughout the school.