Meaning and Usage
"広がる" (ひろがる) is a verb that means "to spread," "to extend," or "to expand." It is often used to describe physical spreading, such as wind or water covering a wider area, but also abstract spreading like ideas or conversations expanding.
Common Contexts
You will hear "広がる" in everyday situations describing natural phenomena (wind, water, smoke), social phenomena (ideas, rumors), and spatial expansion (areas, crowds).
Collocations and Patterns
- 広がる + に (location): indicates where something spreads (e.g., 町中に広がる - spread throughout the town).
- 話が広がる: conversation or topic expands or develops.
- 世界に広がる: spreading worldwide.
Register and Nuance
"広がる" is neutral and common in both spoken and written Japanese. It is intransitive, so it does not take a direct object.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "広がる" (intransitive) with "広げる" (transitive). Remember, "広がる" describes something spreading by itself, while "広げる" means someone actively spreads or expands something.