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.
Where the picture shows up in 宽
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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
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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
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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
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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'
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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.