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宽

kuān

Wide road, loose shirt, easy-going boss

The picture Two edges pushed apart sideways until one more hand fits in between. 宽 is two sides opened out with room to spare; 窄 is two sides closing in and pinching.

Describing words

Where the picture shows up in 宽

  1. wide across

    这条路很宽,两辆车都行。

    zhè tiáo lù hěn kuān, liǎng liàng chē dōu xíng

    This road is wide — two cars can pass.

    Two cars running side by side and still space left at both kerbs

  2. loose clothing

    这件衣服有点宽。

    zhè jiàn yīfu yǒudiǎn kuān

    This jacket is a bit loose.

    A hand sliding easily into the gap between waist and waistband

  3. roomy space

    桌子宽一点好放东西。

    zhuōzi kuān yìdiǎn hǎo fàng dōngxi

    A wider desk makes it easier to put things down.

    Two documents spread out and still room for a cup

  4. lenient

    老板对我们很宽。

    lǎobǎn duì wǒmen hěn kuān

    The boss goes easy on us.

    Seeing someone come in late and letting the raised hand drop

    对 A 宽 means 'lenient towards A'

  5. loosened up

    时间放宽一点吧。

    shíjiān fàng kuān yìdiǎn ba

    Let's loosen the deadline a little.

    A taut string let out by the width of one hand

    放宽 has set into 'to relax, to loosen'

All of it in one picture

宽 is the state of two sides standing apart sideways. Apart on a road, two cars pass; apart on a jacket, a hand slides in at the waist; apart on a desk, papers spread and room is left over; apart in someone's manner, the raised hand comes down over a mistake; apart in a deadline, there is room to breathe.

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