繰り広げる

• Reading: くりひろげる
• Romaji: kurihirogeru
• Kanji breakdown: 繰 (ku) — to reel, unfurl; 広 (kō/hiro) — wide, broad
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.ɾi.çi.ɾo.ɡe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To unfold; to spread out; to develop; to carry on. Describes a dynamic spectacle or contest playing out before an audience.

A Group 2 (ichidan) compound verb (繰る + 広げる). Most often describes a spectacle, battle, or debate unfolding dramatically — 激戦を繰り広げる (to wage a fierce battle), 議論を繰り広げる (to engage in an extended debate). Often carries the nuance of something being displayed and sustained for an audience, like unrolling a scroll to reveal its full extent.

Examples

1. 両チームは最後まで激しい戦いを繰り広げた。 The two teams waged a fierce battle right up to the end.
2. 国会では連日白熱した議論が繰り広げられている。 Heated debates have been unfolding in the national legislature day after day.
3. 子どもたちが広場でのびのびと遊びを繰り広げている。 The children are freely carrying on their play in the open square.

Usage Guide

Context: competition, debate, spectacle, events

Tone: dramatic

Origin & History

Compound of 繰る (to reel, unfurl in sequence) and 広げる (to spread wide). The image is of unrolling a long scroll or fabric to display its full breadth.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal