Word
展開
Meaning in Englishdevelop, expansion (opposite of compression)
Animated kanji stroke order
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)
Related words by kanji and components
N1
開催
kaisai
holding a meeting, open an exhibition
N1
開拓
kaitaku
cultivation, pioneer
N1
開発
kaihatsu
development, exploitation
N1
展示
tenji
exhibition, display
N1
展望
tembou
view, outlook, prospect
N1
進展
shinten
progress, development
N1
切開
sekkai
opening up, cutting through
N1
打開
dakai
solution, breakthrough
N1
未開
mikai
savage land, backward region, uncivilized