Translation guide
The English word 'span' covers several distinct concepts: a length of time, a physical distance or range, the full extent of something, and a structural bridge span. This guide organizes Japanese expressions by these core meanings, from most common to more niche uses.
Expressing a length of time over which something happens or lasts.
General term for a period or span of time. Neutral and widely used.
Many changes occurred over this span of time.
Loanword from English, often used in business or technical contexts for a time span or interval.
The span of this project is three years.
Means 'during' or 'while', often used to describe a span of time in which something happens. More colloquial.
I traveled during the summer break span.
Literally 'length', can be used for time span in specific contexts, but less common than 期間.
The span of the meeting was two hours.
Describing the distance between two points, or the extent of something physical.
Width, breadth, or span. Commonly used for wingspan, bridge span, or range of something.
The span of that bridge is wide.
The wingspan is 2 meters.
Distance, often used for the span between two points.
Used in engineering/architecture for the span of a bridge or beam.
Length, can be used for span in a linear sense, but 幅 is more specific for width-like spans.
Referring to the complete scope or range of an activity, knowledge, or collection.
Scope, range, extent. Covers the span of topics, activities, or influence.
The span of his knowledge is wide.
The whole, overall span. Often used as '〜全般' meaning 'the entire span of ~'.
Sometimes used metaphorically for range, but less common than 範囲.
Specifically the part of a bridge between supports, or a similar structural element.
Technical term for the span of a bridge or arch. Used in engineering.
The span of this bridge is long.
Commonly used in architecture/construction for bridge span.
Arch, sometimes used to describe the span of an arched bridge, but not a direct translation of 'span'.
English often uses 'span' as a verb (e.g., 'the bridge spans the river'). In Japanese, you usually need a different construction like 〜にわたる (extend over) or 〜をまたぐ (straddle). Do not try to use スパン as a verb.
The bridge spans the river.
期間 is a formal noun meaning 'period/span', while 間 is a more colloquial noun meaning 'interval/during'. Use 期間 for defined spans, 間 for 'while doing something'.
Measure the span between two points.
The bridge span is 100 meters.
The span of that river is impressive.
業務全般を担当する。
I'm in charge of the full span of operations.
The span of this discussion is too broad.
Calculate the bridge span.
A stone arch spans the river.