Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the idea of 'spreading out' in Japanese, including physical expansion, dispersal, and metaphorical extension.
To spread out over an area, to extend, to stretch out (e.g., a map, a cloth, wings)
Transitive verb meaning to spread something out, to open up, to unfold. Used for maps, cloth, arms, etc.
Please spread out the map.
He spread out his arms.
Intransitive verb meaning to spread out, to extend, to stretch. Used for things that spread on their own, like a view, a stain, or a rumor.
A beautiful view spread out before my eyes.
The ink spread out on the paper.
Transitive verb meaning to stretch out, to extend. Often used for limbs, or for making something longer/wider.
Please stretch out your legs.
Transitive verb meaning to spread out, to lay (a mat, sheet, etc.). Used for bedding, carpets, etc.
Please spread out the futon.
To spread out in the sense of dispersing, scattering, or distributing over an area
Intransitive verb meaning to be scattered, to spread out (of people or things).
The children are spread out playing in the park.
Transitive verb meaning to scatter, to spread out (something).
To scatter, to spread around (often money, seeds, etc.). Can have a negative nuance of wasteful distribution.
To spread out in terms of influence, information, or abstract concepts
Intransitive verb meaning to spread, to become widespread (rumors, ideas, customs).
The rumor spread quickly.
Transitive verb meaning to spread, to propagate (information, knowledge).
To spread, to have repercussions. Often used for effects or influence spreading.
The influence spread throughout the country.
彼は書類を机の上に散らした。
He spread out the papers on the desk.
彼はお金をばらまいた。
He spread money around.
彼は新しい技術を広めた。
He spread the new technology.