Translation guide
The English word 'extensive' describes something large in scope, covering a wide area, or involving a great amount. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether you mean wide-ranging, thorough, large-scale, or far-reaching.
Use when describing something that spans many topics, areas, or aspects.
The most direct equivalent for 'extensive' in the sense of covering a wide range. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.
He has extensive knowledge.
This issue has extensive effects.
Literally 'wide-ranging', often used for broad interests, activities, or coverage. Slightly more casual than 広範な.
She has extensive hobbies.
Formal, often used in written contexts to emphasize diversity and branching out into many areas.
His research is extensive and covers many fields.
Use when emphasizing depth and completeness, such as in research, preparation, or investigation.
Means 'thorough' or 'exhaustive'. Often used for extensive investigations, preparations, or reforms.
The police conducted an extensive investigation.
Extensive preparation is necessary.
Implies meticulous and detailed planning or analysis. Often used for extensive plans or scrutiny.
We made an extensive plan.
Use when referring to something physically large, involving many resources, or covering a vast area.
Means 'large-scale'. Suitable for extensive projects, operations, or damage.
An extensive development project has begun.
The earthquake caused extensive damage.
Specifically refers to vast physical spaces, like extensive lands or areas.
The building stands on extensive grounds.
Used for extremely large amounts of data, information, or numbers. Emphasizes enormity.
We analyze extensive data.
Use when describing effects, influence, or connections that extend widely.
These three words cover most uses of 'extensive'. Use 広範な for wide-ranging scope (knowledge, influence), 大規模な for large physical scale (projects, damage), and 徹底的な for thoroughness (investigation, preparation).
English often uses 'extensive' where Japanese prefers a more specific word. For example, 'extensive reading' is 多読 (たどく), not 広範な読書. Always consider if a set phrase exists.
She has extensive experience in teaching.
Here 'extensive' is better translated as 豊富な (abundant) rather than 広範な.
The museum has an extensive collection of art.
For collections, 膨大な emphasizes the large number.