Translation guide
The English verb 'widen' can mean to make something physically broader, to expand a scope or range, or to become wider. Japanese uses different verbs depending on transitivity and context.
To increase the width of a physical object or space.
Transitive verb meaning to spread out or widen something flat or two-dimensional.
Construction to widen the road has begun.
He stretched, widening his arms.
Phrase meaning 'to make wide', often used for spaces or openings.
We need to widen the entrance.
Formal term for expansion, often used for facilities or infrastructure.
There is a plan to widen the airport runway.
To increase in width by itself.
To make something more inclusive or extensive, such as a gap, knowledge, or market.
Also used metaphorically for expanding abstract things like knowledge or business.
I studied abroad to widen my knowledge.
Formal term for enlargement or expansion, often used in business or statistics.
We devised a strategy to widen our market share.
Transitive verb meaning to spread or propagate something like ideas or influence.
To increase a disparity or distance between two things.
Intransitive, often used for gaps or disparities that become larger.
The gap between rich and poor is widening.
Transitive, used when someone or something causes the gap to widen.
Formal, used for disparities or divisions.
The generation gap is widening.
広げる (ひろげる) is transitive (someone widens something), while 広がる (ひろがる) is intransitive (something widens on its own). Use を with 広げる and が with 広がる.
English 'widen' is often used metaphorically (e.g., 'widen your horizons'). Direct translation with 広げる is sometimes natural, but other expressions like 視野を広げる (しやをひろげる) are more idiomatic. Avoid using 広くする for abstract concepts.
The road suddenly widened.
The company widened its business overseas.
彼は自分の考えを広めるために講演した。
He gave a lecture to widen the reach of his ideas.
その政策は所得格差を広げた。
That policy widened the income gap.