Translation guide
The act or process of making something larger, or the state of being larger. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 拡大 (kakudai), but the best choice depends on whether you are talking about physical size, scale, images, medical conditions, or abstract growth.
To express the act of making something larger in size, scale, or scope.
The most common and versatile word for enlargement, used for physical size, scale, scope, images, and abstract concepts.
I enlarge the photo to look at it.
We are planning the enlargement of our business.
A casual, everyday phrase meaning 'to make bigger'. Used for physical objects and simple actions.
Please enlarge this hole.
Used for extending or expanding facilities, capabilities, or abstract ranges. Often implies adding new parts or functions.
I expand the memory (of a computer).
The airport enlargement construction has begun.
Focuses on increase in quantity, number, or degree, often with a nuance of growth or escalation.
We respond to the enlargement of demand.
Specifically referring to making a photo, image, or print larger.
The standard term for photographic enlargement (making a print from a negative). Also used for digital image resizing in some contexts.
I ordered an enlargement of this photo.
Also commonly used for digital zoom or on-screen enlargement.
Referring to an abnormal increase in the size of a body part or organ.
Describing the condition of having been made larger.
拡大 (kakudai) is the most general and can be used for size, scale, images, and abstract concepts. 拡張 (kakuchō) implies extending functionality or physical space by adding something. 増大 (zōdai) emphasizes a numerical or quantitative increase, often with a nuance of growth or escalation.
English often uses 'enlargement' as a noun, but Japanese frequently uses verb phrases like 大きくする or 拡大する. Using a noun form like 拡大 is fine, but be aware that direct noun-for-noun translation can sound stiff.
画像を拡大表示する。
Display the image enlarged.
Enlargement of lymph nodes is observed.