Translation guide
Describes something that spreads out over a large area in an untidy or irregular way, or a posture with limbs spread out loosely.
Describe a city, building, or complex that extends over a wide area, often in a disorganized manner.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to spread out' or 'to extend'. Commonly used for cities, landscapes, or views.
a sprawling metropolis below
Na-adjective meaning 'vast' or 'extensive'. Often used to describe sprawling areas.
a mansion on sprawling grounds
Colloquial i-adjective meaning 'sprawling' or 'overly spacious', often with a negative nuance of being too spread out.
a sprawling suburban residential area
Describe a person's posture when their arms and legs are stretched out loosely.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'to lie sprawled out' like the character 大 (big).
Exhausted, I sprawled out on the bed.
Literally 'to stretch out one's limbs'. Describes relaxing in a spread-out posture.
He was sleeping sprawled out on the sofa.
Verb meaning 'to lie down carelessly' or 'to sprawl'. Often implies a lazy or relaxed posture.
Describe something that grows or extends irregularly, like vines or messy writing.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'sprawling'. Choose the expression based on what is sprawling (city, person, plant, etc.).
床に寝そべってテレビを見る。
sprawling on the floor watching TV
ツタが壁一面に広がっている。
Ivy is sprawling across the wall.