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.
彼は広範な知識を持っている。
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.
彼女は幅広い趣味を持っている。
She has extensive hobbies.
Formal, often used in written contexts to emphasize diversity and branching out into many areas.
彼の研究は多岐にわたる。
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.
警察は徹底的な捜査を行った。
The police conducted an extensive investigation.
徹底的な準備が必要だ。
Extensive preparation is necessary.
Implies meticulous and detailed planning or analysis. Often used for extensive plans or scrutiny.
綿密な計画を立てた。
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.
大規模な開発プロジェクトが始まった。
An extensive development project has begun.
地震で大規模な被害が出た。
The earthquake caused extensive damage.
Specifically refers to vast physical spaces, like extensive lands or areas.
広大な敷地に建物が建っている。
The building stands on extensive grounds.
Used for extremely large amounts of data, information, or numbers. Emphasizes enormity.
膨大なデータを分析する。
We analyze extensive data.
Use when describing effects, influence, or connections that extend widely.
Similar to 広範な but emphasizes the spatial or conceptual range. Often used for extensive searches or influence.
広範囲な捜索が行われた。
An extensive search was conducted.
Literary or formal term for far-reaching plans or visions. Not common in daily speech.
彼は遠大な計画を抱いている。
He has an extensive, far-reaching plan.
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.
彼女は教育において豊富な経験を持っている。
She has extensive experience in teaching.
Here 'extensive' is better translated as 豊富な (abundant) rather than 広範な.
その美術館は膨大な美術品コレクションを所蔵している。
The museum has an extensive collection of art.
For collections, 膨大な emphasizes the large number.