In 15 Seconds
- Refers to a diverse range of different life or work experiences.
- Focuses on variety and breadth rather than just time spent.
- Highly positive and professional; great for resumes and networking.
Meaning
This phrase describes someone who has a diverse range of life or work experiences. It's like saying someone has 'seen it all' because they've tried many different things rather than sticking to just one path.
Key Examples
3 of 6Introducing yourself in a job interview
私は海外での仕事を含め、広い経験を持っています。
I have wide experience, including working overseas.
Praising a well-traveled friend
色々な国に行ったことがあるから、広い経験があるね！
Since you've been to many countries, you have such wide experience!
Texting a colleague about a new project
佐藤さんの広い経験が、このプロジェクトには必要です。
Mr. Sato's wide experience is necessary for this project.
Cultural Background
In Japan, the 'Generalist' model has historically been preferred over the 'Specialist' model in corporate culture. This phrase reflects the value placed on understanding multiple perspectives and roles within a group. It is a key concept in the 'Shinsotsu' (new graduate) hiring system, where potential and variety are prioritized.
The 'Stacking' Verb
Always try to use the verb `積む` (tsumu) instead of just `ある` (aru) when talking about your own growth. It makes you sound more proactive, like you actively sought out those experiences.
Wide vs. Deep
If you are talking to a specialist (like a surgeon or a master carpenter), use `深い経験` (fukai keiken). Calling their experience 'wide' might accidentally imply they are a generalist.
In 15 Seconds
- Refers to a diverse range of different life or work experiences.
- Focuses on variety and breadth rather than just time spent.
- Highly positive and professional; great for resumes and networking.
What It Means
When you say someone has 広い経験 (hiroi keiken), you are complimenting their variety. It is not just about how long they have worked. It is about how many different types of things they have done. Imagine a vast field instead of a deep well. That is what this phrase captures. It suggests versatility and a broad perspective on life.
How To Use It
You usually pair this with the verb ある (aru) to say someone 'has' it. For example, 彼は広い経験がある (He has wide experience). You can also use 積む (tsumu) which means 'to pile up' or 'accumulate'. This makes it sound like you are building a mountain of diverse skills. It is a very positive thing to say about someone. It implies they are adaptable and wise.
When To Use It
This is a superstar phrase for job interviews. Use it to describe your background. It is also great when introducing a friend who has traveled a lot. If you are at a networking event, use it to show respect. You might say, 'You have such wide experience!' to an older colleague. It works well in emails and formal self-introductions too.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you want to say someone is a specialist. If someone has done one specific thing for 40 years, use 深い経験 (fukai keiken) instead. That means 'deep experience.' Using 広い for a specialist might sound like you think they are a 'jack of all trades, master of none.' Also, avoid using it for very minor things. Don't say you have 広い経験 in eating different brands of potato chips—unless you're a professional taster!
Cultural Background
In Japanese companies, there is a tradition of 'job rotation.' Employees move between departments every few years. Because of this, having 広い経験 is often more valued than being a hyper-specialist. It shows you understand how the whole 'machine' works. It is a sign of a well-rounded, reliable person in society.
Common Variations
You will often hear 幅広い経験 (habahiroi keiken). This is just a slightly more emphatic version. It means 'wide-breadth experience.' It sounds a bit more polished and professional. If you want to sound like a pro, use the 幅広い version in your resume. It adds that extra layer of 'I really know my stuff.'
Usage Notes
This phrase is highly versatile and safe for almost any situation. In very formal business documents, prefer `幅広い経験` or `多岐にわたる経験` (takini wataru keiken - experience spanning many fields).
The 'Stacking' Verb
Always try to use the verb `積む` (tsumu) instead of just `ある` (aru) when talking about your own growth. It makes you sound more proactive, like you actively sought out those experiences.
Wide vs. Deep
If you are talking to a specialist (like a surgeon or a master carpenter), use `深い経験` (fukai keiken). Calling their experience 'wide' might accidentally imply they are a generalist.
The Resume Power-Up
In Japanese resumes (Rirekisho), adding `幅` (haba - width) to make it `幅広い経験` is a common 'power move' to sound more professional and educated.
Examples
6私は海外での仕事を含め、広い経験を持っています。
I have wide experience, including working overseas.
Using 'motte imasu' (to have/hold) sounds professional here.
色々な国に行ったことがあるから、広い経験があるね！
Since you've been to many countries, you have such wide experience!
Casual and appreciative tone.
佐藤さんの広い経験が、このプロジェクトには必要です。
Mr. Sato's wide experience is necessary for this project.
Shows respect for the colleague's background.
先生の広い経験から、多くのことを学びました。
I learned many things from my teacher's wide experience.
Expresses gratitude and respect.
バイトを10種類もしたから、無駄に広い経験があるよ。
I've done 10 different part-time jobs, so I have uselessly wide experience.
Adding 'muda ni' (uselessly) adds a self-deprecating joke.
彼女は広い経験があるので、どんな状況でも対応できます。
She has wide experience, so she can handle any situation.
Highlights the benefit of having a broad background.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct adjective to describe a person who has done many different types of jobs.
彼は色々な仕事をしていたので、___経験があります。
`広い` (wide) is the standard collocation for diverse experience. `狭い` means narrow, and `高い` means high.
Complete the sentence to say 'to accumulate wide experience'.
若いうちに広い経験を___ことが大切です。
`積む` (tsumu) is the specific verb used for accumulating or gaining experience in Japanese.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 'Hiroi Keiken'
Used with friends when talking about hobbies or travel.
広い経験があってすごいね！
Standard way to describe someone's background.
彼は広い経験があります。
Often upgraded to 'Habahiroi' for business contexts.
幅広い経験をお持ちですね。
When to use 'Hiroi Keiken'
Job Interview
Highlighting your diverse skill set.
Travel Stories
Discussing someone who has seen the world.
Team Building
Valuing a teammate's varied background.
Mentorship
Respecting an elder's life lessons.
Practice Bank
2 exercises彼は色々な仕事をしていたので、___経験があります。
`広い` (wide) is the standard collocation for diverse experience. `狭い` means narrow, and `高い` means high.
若いうちに広い経験を___ことが大切です。
`積む` (tsumu) is the specific verb used for accumulating or gaining experience in Japanese.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions広い経験 emphasizes the variety and range of activities. 豊富な経験 (houfu na keiken) means 'abundant experience' and focuses more on the sheer volume or richness of what you've done.
Yes! If you have tried many different hobbies like pottery, skydiving, and cooking, you can say you have 広い経験 in hobbies.
It is actually a great compliment for a young person. It suggests they have been very active and adventurous for their age.
You can say もっと広い経験を積みたいです (Motto hiroi keiken o tsumitai desu).
No, in this context it is metaphorical. It describes the 'area' of your knowledge and skills rather than physical space.
Not at all. It is neutral. However, with friends, you might just say 色々やってるね！ (You do a lot of different things!) instead.
The opposite would be 経験が浅い (keiken ga asai), which means 'shallow experience' or being a beginner.
Yes, you can say a company has 広い経験 in a certain industry, meaning they have handled many different types of projects.
幅 means 'width' or 'breadth.' Adding it makes the phrase sound more formal and precise, which is preferred in business writing.
While 'broad experience' is more common in English, 'wide experience' is perfectly understandable and is the most direct translation of the Japanese logic.
Related Phrases
幅広い経験
Broad-breadth experience (more formal)
深い経験
Deep experience (specialized knowledge)
豊富な経験
Rich/Abundant experience
多才な
Multitalented/Versatile
