Translation guide
The English word "broad" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: wide in physical extent, wide in range or scope, general/non-specific, and strong accent. It also notes less common or literary uses.
Describing something that is wide from side to side, such as a road, river, shoulders, or a smile.
The most common and general word for 'wide' or 'spacious'. Used for roads, rooms, spaces, etc.
この道は広いですね。
This road is broad, isn't it?
彼は肩幅が広い。
He has broad shoulders.
Literally 'wide-width'. Emphasizes the physical width of an object. Often used for things like roads, belts, or ribbons.
幅広い道路が整備された。
A broad road was constructed.
Describing something that covers a large variety or extensive area, such as knowledge, experience, selection, or agreement.
Used for a wide range of things, such as knowledge, interests, or selection. More common than 広い for abstract breadth.
彼は幅広い知識を持っている。
He has broad knowledge.
この店は幅広い品揃えがある。
This store has a broad selection of goods.
Formal, often written. Means 'extensive' or 'wide-ranging'. Used for influence, authority, or surveys.
その政策は広範な支持を得た。
The policy gained broad support.
Can also be used for abstract breadth, like 'broad-minded' or 'broad agreement', but 幅広い is often more natural for range.
Describing something that is not specific or detailed, such as a broad outline, broad category, or broad sense.
Means 'rough', 'approximate', or 'broad'. Used for outlines, categories, or explanations that are not detailed.
大まかな計画を説明してください。
Please explain the broad plan.
Similar to 大まかな, but can imply a slightly more careless or rough approach. Often used for estimates or descriptions.
大雑把に言うと、問題は予算だ。
Broadly speaking, the problem is the budget.
Means 'in a broad sense'. Used in academic or technical contexts to distinguish from a narrow definition.
広義の文化には習慣も含まれる。
Culture in the broad sense includes customs.
Describing a noticeable regional or foreign accent.
Literally 'strong accent'. The most natural way to say someone has a broad accent.
彼は強い訛りの英語を話す。
He speaks English with a broad accent.
Implies a thick or heavy accent, sometimes with a nuance of being difficult to understand.
彼女のきつい訛りが時々理解できない。
Her broad accent is sometimes hard to understand.
The phrase 'in broad daylight' meaning openly during the day.
Means 'broad daylight'. Often used in the set phrase 白昼堂々と (openly in broad daylight).
犯人は白昼堂々と銀行を襲った。
The criminal robbed the bank in broad daylight.
Colloquial, emphasizes the middle of the day. 'In broad daylight' with a more casual tone.
広い (hiroi) is the general adjective for 'wide' or 'spacious'. 幅広い (habahiroi) specifically emphasizes width and is often used for physical objects or abstract ranges. For 'broad knowledge', 幅広い知識 is more natural than 広い知識, though both are possible.
Do not translate 'broad' directly as 広い when describing an accent. 広い訛り is not natural. Use 強い訛り or きつい訛り instead.
He is broad-minded.
真っ昼間から酒を飲むなんて。
Drinking alcohol in broad daylight, really?