Translation guide
The English phrase "spread out" covers several distinct meanings: physically extending something flat, dispersing people or things over an area, expanding in size, and distributing over time. Japanese uses different verbs and patterns for each.
To open or unfold something flat so that it covers a larger area.
Transitive verb meaning to spread something out flat. Used for maps, blankets, newspapers, wings, etc.
I spread the map out on the desk.
The bird spread its wings and took off.
Intransitive verb meaning to become spread out, to extend. Used when something spreads out by itself or as a result.
The tablecloth spread out nicely.
To stretch out or extend something, often limbs or something rolled up. Can be used for spreading out a scroll or stretching out arms/legs.
He stretched out his arms and yawned.
To cause people or objects to move apart and cover a wider area.
Intransitive verb meaning to be scattered, spread out. Used for people, objects, or information dispersing.
The children are spread out playing in the park.
Transitive verb meaning to scatter or spread things out. Often used for scattering seeds, leaflets, or dispersing a crowd.
Intransitive; can also mean to spread out over an area, like a city or a stain.
To become scattered or separated; often used for groups of people spreading out in different directions.
The audience spread out and headed for the exits.
To become larger in area or volume, often gradually.
Intransitive; used for abstract or physical expansion, such as influence, popularity, or a stain.
The rumor spread out quickly.
Intransitive; to swell or expand, like bread dough, a balloon, or a budget.
Formal; to enlarge, expand, or scale up. Used for business, images, or scope.
They plan to spread the business out nationwide.
To arrange events or payments so that they occur over a period instead of all at once.
To divide or split into parts; commonly used for spreading payments or tasks over time.
Can I spread out the payments over a few months?
To distribute or decentralize; used for spreading risk, workload, or population.
We spread out our investments to diversify risk.
To stagger or shift; used for spreading out schedules or appointments.
To extend one's arms and legs to relax, often taking up space.
広げる is transitive (someone spreads something), while 広がる is intransitive (something spreads by itself). Use 広げる when you are actively spreading a map or blanket; use 広がる when describing a view, a rumor, or a city expanding.
He spread out the map.
A beautiful view spread out before my eyes.
While 広げる means to spread out a flat object, it is not used for people dispersing. Use 散らばる or ばらばらになる instead.
Spread out the blanket on the grass.
The students spread out across the field.
Can we spread the cost over six months?
The papers were spread out all over the desk.
The wind spread the fallen leaves out over the garden.
都市が郊外に広がっている。
The city is spreading out into the suburbs.
パン生地が膨らんだ。
The bread dough spread out (rose).
We spread out our vacation times to avoid crowding.