Translation guide
The English verb 'widen' can mean to make something physically broader, to expand a scope or range, or to become wider. Japanese uses different verbs depending on transitivity and context.
To increase the width of a physical object or space.
Transitive verb meaning to spread out or widen something flat or two-dimensional.
道路を広げる工事が始まった。
Construction to widen the road has begun.
彼は腕を広げて伸びをした。
He stretched, widening his arms.
Phrase meaning 'to make wide', often used for spaces or openings.
入り口を広くする必要がある。
We need to widen the entrance.
Formal term for expansion, often used for facilities or infrastructure.
空港の滑走路を拡張する計画がある。
There is a plan to widen the airport runway.
To increase in width by itself.
Intransitive verb meaning to spread out or become wider.
川が下流で広がっている。
The river widens downstream.
道が急に広がった。
The road suddenly widened.
Phrase meaning 'to become wide'.
この先で道が広くなる。
The road widens up ahead.
To make something more inclusive or extensive, such as a gap, knowledge, or market.
Also used metaphorically for expanding abstract things like knowledge or business.
知識を広げるために留学した。
I studied abroad to widen my knowledge.
会社は海外に事業を広げた。
The company widened its business overseas.
Formal term for enlargement or expansion, often used in business or statistics.
市場シェアを拡大する戦略を立てた。
We devised a strategy to widen our market share.
Transitive verb meaning to spread or propagate something like ideas or influence.
To increase a disparity or distance between two things.
Intransitive, often used for gaps or disparities that become larger.
貧富の差が広がっている。
The gap between rich and poor is widening.
Transitive, used when someone or something causes the gap to widen.
Formal, used for disparities or divisions.
世代間の断絶が拡大している。
The generation gap is widening.
広げる (ひろげる) is transitive (someone widens something), while 広がる (ひろがる) is intransitive (something widens on its own). Use を with 広げる and が with 広がる.
English 'widen' is often used metaphorically (e.g., 'widen your horizons'). Direct translation with 広げる is sometimes natural, but other expressions like 視野を広げる (しやをひろげる) are more idiomatic. Avoid using 広くする for abstract concepts.
彼は自分の考えを広めるために講演した。
He gave a lecture to widen the reach of his ideas.
その政策は所得格差を広げた。
That policy widened the income gap.