Translation guide
How to express 'open wide' in Japanese, covering physical actions like opening a mouth or door wide, and figurative uses.
To open one's mouth wide, as for a dentist or to eat something large.
The most common and natural way to say 'open your mouth wide'. Used in everyday situations.
歯医者で口を大きく開けてください。
Please open your mouth wide at the dentist.
大きなハンバーガーを食べるために口を大きく開けた。
I opened my mouth wide to eat the big hamburger.
Implies opening the mouth wide in surprise or astonishment, often involuntarily.
そのニュースを聞いて、口をあんぐり開けた。
I opened my mouth wide in surprise at the news.
To open one's eyes wide, often due to surprise or to see clearly.
Standard expression for opening eyes wide, often in shock or to focus.
驚いて目を大きく見開いた。
I opened my eyes wide in surprise.
Idiomatic phrase meaning to open eyes wide in surprise, literally 'make eyes round'.
彼は目を丸くしてその手品を見ていた。
He watched the magic trick with his eyes wide open.
To open a door, window, or similar object fully.
General phrase for opening something wide. The object is specified with を.
窓を大きく開けてください。
Please open the window wide.
ドアを大きく開けて荷物を運び入れた。
I opened the door wide and carried in the luggage.
Means 'to open fully' or 'to open all the way', often used for windows, doors, or valves.
暑いので窓を全開にした。
It's hot, so I opened the window wide.
To spread one's arms wide, as for a hug or gesture.
Literally 'spread both hands', used for opening arms wide to embrace or indicate size.
彼は両手を広げて私を迎えてくれた。
He opened his arms wide and welcomed me.
Similar to above, emphasizing the wide extent.
子供が手を大きく広げて走ってきた。
The child came running with arms wide open.
To describe a large gap, difference, or opening in a non-physical sense.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to open wide' or 'to gape', used for gaps, holes, or figurative openings.
両者の間には大きな溝が大きく開いている。
A wide gulf has opened up between the two sides.
Means 'to spread wide', used for gaps, differences, or landscapes.
格差が大きく広がっている。
The disparity is widening greatly.