広まる

• Reading: ひろまる
• Romaji: hiromaru
• Kanji breakdown: 広 (kou/hiro) — wide, broad, spread
• Pronunciation: /hi.ɾo.ma.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To spread; to be propagated; to become widespread. Describes information, customs, or phenomena reaching many people.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb conjugated with the る row (広まらない, 広まります). The intransitive pair of 広める (to spread something). Used for things that spread on their own: rumours, diseases, customs, knowledge. Similar to 広がる but 広まる emphasizes propagation among people, while 広がる can describe physical expansion.

Examples

1. そのニュースはあっという間に町中に広まった。 The news spread throughout the entire town in no time.
2. 日本食の人気が世界中に広まっている。 The popularity of Japanese food is spreading all over the world.
3. インターネットのおかげで情報が早く広まるようになった。 Thanks to the internet, information now spreads much faster.

Usage Guide

Context: news, culture, society

Tone: descriptive

Origin & History

Compound of 広 (hiro, wide/broad) and the intransitive suffix まる. The kanji 広 depicts a broad roof or shelter, conveying the idea of expansiveness.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal