Word
Kana: てんかい Romaji: tenkai Level: N2

展開

Meaning in English

develop, expansion (opposite of compression)

Stroke order

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Dictionary

Word context

What it means

展開 means the act of unfolding or expanding something over time, including the development of events in a narrative, the expansion of a plan or territory, or the deployment of resources or systems.

Main meanings

  • Narrative development or progression of events in literature, film, or drama.
  • Expansion or broadening of a concept, scope, or territory.
  • Deployment or rollout of products, plans, or resources in business or technology.
  • In mathematics or science, the expansion of expressions or the unfolding of a theory.

How to use it

Used as a noun to refer to unfolding or development; common in journalism, business reports, and academic writing; can take the form 展開する as a verb to describe actively unfolding or deploying something; often accompanied by の or を to mark the topic or object.

Variants and close terms

  • 発展 (hatten) — development
  • 進展 (shinten) — progress
  • 拡張 (kakuchou) — expansion
  • 停滞 (teitai) — stagnation

Composition

  • 展 – display, exhibit; unfold, spread
  • 開 – open, begin; unfold

Word class

Noun, suru-verb (展開する)

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