En 15 segundos
- Time that feels vast, unhurried, and mentally open.
- Used to describe high-quality leisure or a lack of pressure.
- More poetic and evocative than simply saying 'free time'.
Significado
This phrase describes time that feels vast, unhurried, and open. It is not just about having 'free time,' but about the mental luxury of having no deadlines or pressure weighing you down.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Talking about weekend plans
今週末は広い時間があるから、海に行きたいな。
I have some spacious time this weekend, so I want to go to the sea.
Texting a friend about a hobby
広い時間を作って、ゆっくり本を読みたいです。
I want to create some spacious time and read a book slowly.
Expressing gratitude to a mentor
昨日は広い時間をいただき、本当にありがとうございました。
Thank you so much for giving me such a generous, spacious amount of time yesterday.
Contexto cultural
In Tokyo, time is often described as 'tight' ({詰|つ}まっている). '{広|ひろ}い{時間|じかん}' is seen as a luxury that people seek in 'Cat Cafes' or 'Zen Gardens.' In the countryside (Inaka), time is naturally 'wide.' People often use this phrase to attract tourists from the city. The tea ceremony (Sado) is designed to create a '{広|ひろ}い{時間|じかん}' in a very small room. It is about the expansion of the moment. The term is becoming popular among Gen Z in Japan as part of the 'Digital Detox' movement, emphasizing 'quality of life' over 'hustle.'
Use it for compliments
If you visit someone's home and it feels peaceful, saying '{広|ひろ}い{時間|じかん}が{流|なが}れていますね' is a very sophisticated compliment.
Don't use for 'long' meetings
If a meeting lasts 3 hours, calling it 'hiroi' sounds like you enjoyed it too much. Use 'nagai' instead.
En 15 segundos
- Time that feels vast, unhurried, and mentally open.
- Used to describe high-quality leisure or a lack of pressure.
- More poetic and evocative than simply saying 'free time'.
What It Means
Imagine standing in the middle of a massive, quiet field. There are no fences and no walls. That is the feeling of 広い時間. It is more than just a gap in your schedule. It is a state of mind where time feels expansive rather than cramped. In Japanese, 広い usually describes physical space, like a room or a park. By applying it to time, you are saying that your day feels like it has 'breathing room.' It is the opposite of 'narrow' time, where you feel squeezed by every passing minute.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when you want to emphasize the quality of your time. It sounds a bit more poetic and thoughtful than just saying you are 'free' (暇). You can use it to describe a relaxing weekend or a long vacation. It often pairs with verbs like ある (to have) or 作る (to make). If you tell a friend you want 広い時間, you are telling them you want to escape the rush of daily life. It is a great way to express a need for mental clarity.
When To Use It
Use this when you are planning something meaningful. Maybe you want to read a long book or start a new hobby. It is perfect for a Sunday morning when the sun is out and your phone is off. You can also use it when talking about your life goals. For example, after retiring, someone might say they finally have 広い時間. It is also a lovely way to thank someone for giving you their undivided attention during a long, deep conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for a quick five-minute coffee break. That is too small to be 'spacious.' Also, avoid using it when you are literally just talking about a duration of time. If a meeting lasted three hours, use 長い時間 (long time) instead. 広い時間 is about the *feeling* of the time, not the clock. If you use it to describe a deadline, people might get confused. It is a positive, airy term, so it does not fit well in stressful or high-pressure situations.
Cultural Background
Japanese culture deeply values the concept of ma (間), which refers to the space or gap between things. This applies to architecture, music, and even conversation. 広い時間 is a modern way to express the need for ma in a busy, high-tech society. There is also the concept of Yutori, which means having 'room' or 'leeway' in life. Having 広い時間 is seen as a sign of a high-quality life, especially in crowded cities like Tokyo where everything feels physically and temporally tight.
Common Variations
The most common everyday version is ゆとりのある時間 (time with room). You might also hear たっぷりとした時間 (plenty of time). If you want to be more casual, you can just say のんびりした時間 (leisurely time). However, 広い時間 remains a beautiful, slightly more artistic way to describe that feeling of total freedom from the clock. It makes you sound like someone who appreciates the deeper rhythms of life.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral but leans towards being poetic. It is best used when you want to sound thoughtful about your schedule or mental state. Avoid using it for short durations.
Use it for compliments
If you visit someone's home and it feels peaceful, saying '{広|ひろ}い{時間|じかん}が{流|なが}れていますね' is a very sophisticated compliment.
Don't use for 'long' meetings
If a meeting lasts 3 hours, calling it 'hiroi' sounds like you enjoyed it too much. Use 'nagai' instead.
Pair with 'Nagare'
The verb '{流|なが}れる' (to flow) is the most natural partner for this phrase. It creates a very poetic image.
The 'Yutori' connection
This phrase is the poetic cousin of the word 'Yutori' (leeway). Use 'Hiroi Jikan' when you want to be an artist, and 'Yutori' when you want to be a realist.
Ejemplos
6今週末は広い時間があるから、海に行きたいな。
I have some spacious time this weekend, so I want to go to the sea.
Uses the phrase to suggest a desire for open, unstructured relaxation.
広い時間を作って、ゆっくり本を読みたいです。
I want to create some spacious time and read a book slowly.
Expresses a deliberate intention to carve out mental space.
昨日は広い時間をいただき、本当にありがとうございました。
Thank you so much for giving me such a generous, spacious amount of time yesterday.
A polite way to acknowledge that someone didn't rush you.
私のカレンダーには、広い時間が1秒もありません！
There isn't a single second of spacious time in my calendar!
A slightly hyperbolic way to say you are incredibly busy.
この広い時間の中で、自分を見つめ直すことができました。
Within this spacious time, I was able to reflect on myself.
Used in a deep, introspective context.
休暇中は広い時間を使って、新しいことに挑戦したいです。
During my vacation, I want to use that spacious time to try something new.
Shows the phrase used in a professional yet personal context.
Ponte a prueba
Which sentence best describes a relaxing Sunday with no plans?
日曜日、私は何を楽しみましたか？
‘Hiroi jikan’ is the correct collocation for unhurried, relaxed time.
Complete the sentence to express a desire for peace.
{忙|いそが}しい{毎日|まいにち}を{忘|わす}れて、{広|ひろ}い{時間|じかん}を（ ）たいです。
‘Sugoshitai’ (want to spend) is the natural verb to use with time.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are at a beautiful beach with no one around.
This phrase perfectly captures the expansive feeling of a quiet beach.
Fill in the response.
A: {最近|さいきん}、どうですか？ B: {仕事|しごと}が{終|お}わって、やっと（ ）が{持|も}てました。
The speaker is talking about their life/schedule, so 'time' is the correct context.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Time Quality Comparison
Where to find Hiroi Jikan
Nature
- • Forests
- • Beaches
- • Mountains
Home
- • Reading
- • Tea
- • Gardening
Travel
- • Hot springs
- • Slow trains
- • Local walks
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejercicios日曜日、私は何を楽しみましたか？
‘Hiroi jikan’ is the correct collocation for unhurried, relaxed time.
{忙|いそが}しい{毎日|まいにち}を{忘|わす}れて、{広|ひろ}い{時間|じかん}を（ ）たいです。
‘Sugoshitai’ (want to spend) is the natural verb to use with time.
Situation: You are at a beautiful beach with no one around.
This phrase perfectly captures the expansive feeling of a quiet beach.
A: {最近|さいきん}、どうですか？ B: {仕事|しごと}が{終|お}わって、やっと（ ）が{持|も}てました。
The speaker is talking about their life/schedule, so 'time' is the correct context.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasIt is common in writing and thoughtful conversation, but less common in fast-paced daily chatter.
Usually, it implies a longer stretch, but you can use it for a short break if that break feels very deep and restorative.
The most common opposite is '{時間|じかん}がない' (no time) or '{忙|いそが}しい' (busy).
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a polite essay.
It's less common. People usually stick to 'Hiroi Jikan' or 'Yuttari shita hi'.
No, it implies a positive, chosen state of peace.
もっと{広|ひろ}い{時間|じかん}が{欲|ほ}しいです (Motto hiroi jikan ga hoshii desu).
Rarely. In business, use '{時間|じかん}の{確保|かくほ}' (securing time).
Only if the movie's *pacing* felt vast and unhurried in a good way.
Yes, it is the primary way to describe the 'time' aspect of the Slow Life movement in Japan.
Yes, describing a child's summer as '{広|ひろ}い{時間|じかん}' is very common and nostalgic.
Yes, it's an i-adjective, so the 'i' is essential for the grammar.
Frases relacionadas
{時間|じかん}に{余裕|よゆう}がある
similarTo have leeway in time
ゆったりした{時間|じかん}
similarRelaxed time
{贅沢|ぜいたく}な{時間|じかん}
similarLuxurious time
{時間|じかん}に{追|お}われる
contrastTo be chased by time
{自分|じぶん}の{時間|じかん}
builds onOne's own time
