Translation guide
The English verb "unroll" means to open or spread out something that is rolled up, like a scroll, carpet, or map. In Japanese, the expression depends on what is being unrolled and how. This guide covers the most natural ways to express this action.
To open or spread out something that is in a roll, such as a scroll, map, carpet, or futon.
The most common and versatile verb for spreading or opening something out. It can be used for maps, scrolls, carpets, futons, and more. It focuses on the result of making something flat and wide.
地図を広げて見せた。
He unrolled the map and showed it to me.
カーペットを広げて敷いた。
We unrolled the carpet and laid it down.
Means to stretch or extend something. It can be used for unrolling things that are coiled or curled, like a hose or a measuring tape, emphasizing the action of making it straight.
ホースを伸ばして庭に水をまいた。
I unrolled the hose and watered the garden.
Means to undo, untie, or unravel. It can be used for unrolling something that is tied or bound, like a rolled-up scroll or a bundle. It emphasizes the action of releasing the roll.
巻物を解いて読み始めた。
He unrolled the scroll and began to read.
To spread out a futon or mattress for sleeping.
The standard phrase for laying out a futon. It literally means "to spread the futon." This is the most natural way to say "unroll a futon" in Japanese.
毎晩、布団を敷いて寝ます。
Every night, I unroll the futon and go to sleep.
Also possible for futons, but 布団を敷く is more idiomatic. 広げる focuses on the spreading action itself.
布団を広げて干した。
I unrolled the futon and aired it out.
To unroll a hanging scroll, banner, or similar item for display.
For a hanging scroll (kakejiku), the natural phrase is "to hang the scroll," which implies unrolling it. The verb 掛ける means to hang.
床の間に掛け軸を掛けた。
I unrolled and hung the scroll in the alcove.
Can be used if you are simply unrolling it without hanging, or before hanging.
巻物を広げて鑑賞した。
We unrolled the scroll and admired it.
To expand or reveal a dropdown list or menu on a screen.
Means to expand or unfold. Commonly used for dropdown menus, tree views, or collapsible sections in software.
メニューを展開して項目を選ぶ。
Unroll the menu and select an item.
Means to open. Can be used for dropdowns, but 展開する is more precise for expanding a list.
プルダウンメニューを開く。
Open (unroll) the pull-down menu.