Translation guide
How to express 'popularize' in Japanese, covering making something widely known, spreading ideas, and gaining popularity.
To cause something (an idea, product, method) to become popular or widely used.
The most direct and common translation for 'popularize' in the sense of spreading something widely, like technology, education, or a practice.
スマートフォンを普及させた。
They popularized smartphones.
To present something in a way that is easy to understand or attractive to a wide audience.
To make something accessible to the masses, often used for culture, art, or luxury goods.
そのブランドは高級品を大衆化した。
The brand popularized luxury goods.
To become popular or widespread on its own.
Intransitive counterpart of 普及させる. Used when something spreads or becomes common.
インターネットが急速に普及した。
The internet popularized rapidly.
普及させる implies systematic spread, often for technology or social practices. 広める is broader and can be used for personal efforts to spread ideas or information.
政府は再生可能エネルギーを普及させようとしている。
The government is trying to popularize renewable energy.
彼女はSNSで自分の考えを広めている。
She is popularizing her ideas on social media.
While ポピュラー化する exists, it is less natural than 普及させる or 大衆化する in most contexts. Use with caution.
This movement aims to popularize organic farming.
To spread or disseminate, often used for ideas, knowledge, or culture. Slightly less formal than 普及させる.
彼はその理論を広めるのに貢献した。
He contributed to popularizing the theory.
To generalize or make common. Used when something becomes standard or widespread.
この技術はまだ一般化されていない。
This technology hasn't been popularized yet.
To popularize by simplifying or making something more accessible, sometimes with a nuance of dumbing down.
彼は科学を通俗化するのが上手だ。
He is good at popularizing science.
To make something familiar or accessible. Often used for making abstract concepts relatable.
この本は哲学を身近にしてくれる。
This book popularizes philosophy.
Intransitive verb meaning to spread or become widespread, often for rumors, ideas, or trends.
その噂はすぐに広まった。
The rumor popularized quickly.
To become popular or fashionable, often for trends, diseases, or fads. More casual.
このゲームが今すごく流行っている。
This game is really popularizing now.