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.
この期間に多くの変化があった。
Many changes occurred over this span of time.
Loanword from English, often used in business or technical contexts for a time span or interval.
このプロジェクトのスパンは3年です。
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.
夏休みの間に旅行した。
I traveled during the summer break span.
Literally 'length', can be used for time span in specific contexts, but less common than 期間.
会議の長さは2時間だった。
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.
その橋の幅は広い。
The span of that bridge is wide.
翼の幅は2メートルだ。
The wingspan is 2 meters.
Distance, often used for the span between two points.
2点間の距離を測る。
Measure 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.
その川の長さはすごい。
The span of that river is impressive.
Referring to the complete scope or range of an activity, knowledge, or collection.
Scope, range, extent. Covers the span of topics, activities, or influence.
彼の知識の範囲は広い。
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.
この橋の径間は長い。
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.
その橋は川にわたっている。
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'.
The bridge span is 100 meters.
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.