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.
写真を拡大して見る。
I enlarge the photo to look at it.
事業の拡大を計画している。
We are planning the enlargement of our business.
A casual, everyday phrase meaning 'to make bigger'. Used for physical objects and simple actions.
この穴を大きくしてください。
Please enlarge this hole.
Used for extending or expanding facilities, capabilities, or abstract ranges. Often implies adding new parts or functions.
メモリを拡張する。
I expand the memory (of a computer).
空港の拡張工事が始まった。
The airport enlargement construction has begun.
Focuses on increase in quantity, number, or degree, often with a nuance of growth or escalation.
需要の増大に対応する。
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.
この写真の引き伸ばしを頼んだ。
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.
Medical term for hypertrophy or enlargement of an organ or tissue.
心臓肥大と診断された。
I was diagnosed with cardiac enlargement.
Medical term for swelling or enlargement, often due to inflammation or tumor.
リンパ節の腫大が見られる。
Enlargement of lymph nodes is observed.
Describing the condition of having been made larger.
Passive form of 拡大, meaning 'enlarged' or 'having been enlarged'.
拡大された地図を見る。
I look at the enlarged map.
Plain way to say 'became bigger', used for natural growth or simple changes.
町が大きくなった。
The town has undergone enlargement.
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.