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B1 adjective 14 min read

宽敞

kuanchang

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 宽敞 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 宽敞 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of '宽敞' (kuān chang) as a special way to say 'big' (大 - dà) for rooms. When you see a room that has lots of space and you can move around easily, you say it is '宽敞'. For example, if your classroom is not small, you can say '教室很宽敞' (Jiàoshì hěn kuānchang). This word is mostly used for houses, rooms, and cars. Remember, '宽' (kuān) means wide, like a wide road. '敞' (chǎng) means open. So, '宽敞' is a 'wide and open' place. You will often hear people say '宽敞明亮' (kuānchang míngliàng), which means 'spacious and bright'. This is a very good thing for a house! If you want to compliment someone's home, you can say '你家很宽敞' (Nǐ jiā hěn kuānchang). It is a polite and nice thing to say. Just remember to use it for places you can go inside, like a room or a bus, not for things like a big apple or a big dog.

At the A2 level, you should start using '宽敞' (kuān chang) to provide more detail in your descriptions of places. While '大' (dà) is a general word for 'big', '宽敞' specifically describes a 'spacious' area where there is plenty of room. You can use it as a predicate after '很' (hěn - very) or '非常' (fēicháng - extremely). For example, '新房子非常宽敞' (The new house is extremely spacious). You can also use it before a noun with '的' (de), like '宽敞的客厅' (a spacious living room). At this level, you might use it when talking about your dream home or comparing different apartments. For instance, '这间卧室比那间宽敞' (This bedroom is more spacious than that one). It's also useful when traveling; you can describe a '宽敞的座位' (spacious seat) on a train or plane. This word helps you express comfort and quality regarding physical spaces. Avoid using it for things that aren't spaces, like a 'wide' river (use '宽' instead) or a 'big' tree (use '大' instead).

As a B1 learner, you should understand that '宽敞' (kuān chang) is the standard adjective for describing roomy interiors and human-made spaces. It carries a positive connotation of comfort and openness. You will often encounter this word in real estate contexts or when discussing interior design. For example, '为了让客厅显得更宽敞，他买了一些小家具' (In order to make the living room appear more spacious, he bought some small furniture). Notice the use of '显得' (xiǎnde - to appear/seem), which is a common companion for '宽敞'. You should also be able to distinguish '宽敞' from its synonyms like '宽阔' (kuānkuò). While '宽阔' is used for roads or bridges (horizontal width), '宽敞' is used for rooms or halls (internal volume). A B1 student should also be familiar with the four-character phrase '宽敞明亮' (spacious and bright), which is frequently used in written and spoken Chinese to describe ideal living or working conditions. In your writing, try using '宽敞' to add descriptive depth to your narratives about travel, home life, or urban environments.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '宽敞' (kuān chang) with precision and understand its nuanced differences from other related terms. '宽敞' implies not just physical size, but an atmospheric quality of being 'open' and 'uncluttered'. You might use it in more complex sentence structures, such as '宽敞的办公环境有助于提高员工的工作效率' (A spacious office environment helps to improve employees' work efficiency). At this level, you should also be aware of more formal or literary alternatives like '敞亮' (chǎngliàng) or '开阔' (kāikuò). For example, you might discuss how an '开阔的视野' (an open view) can make a room feel more '宽敞'. You should also be able to use the word in negative or conditional contexts, such as '如果家具摆放不当，再宽敞的房间也会显得拥挤' (If furniture is placed improperly, even the most spacious room will appear crowded). Your understanding of '宽敞' should extend to its cultural significance in China, where 'spaciousness' is often linked to status and social 'face' (面子).

For C1 learners, '宽敞' (kuān chang) should be part of a sophisticated vocabulary for describing spatial aesthetics and architectural design. You should be able to analyze why '宽敞' is chosen over '宏大' (hóngdà - grand) or '寥廓' (liáokuò - vast and empty) in a given text. '宽敞' focuses on the human experience within a space—the ease of movement and the psychological relief provided by an open layout. In professional contexts, such as architecture or urban planning, you might use '宽敞' to discuss the 'spatiality' (空间感) of a design. For instance, '设计师通过大面积的落地窗，营造出一种宽敞通透的感觉' (The designer created a spacious and transparent feeling through large floor-to-ceiling windows). You should also be comfortable using the word in metaphorical or semi-abstract ways, though sparingly, such as describing a '宽敞的平台' (a broad platform) for cooperation, while knowing that '广阔' is more standard for abstract 'space'. At this level, you should also recognize regional variations, such as the preference for '敞亮' in certain dialects, and how these choices affect the tone of a conversation or piece of writing.

At the C2 level, you should have a native-like command of '宽敞' (kuān chang), including its historical roots and its place within the broader system of Chinese spatial adjectives. You can appreciate how the character '敞' (open/disclose) contributes to the word's meaning, contrasting it with words that imply enclosure or secrecy. In literary analysis, you might discuss how an author uses the '宽敞' nature of a setting to symbolize a character's freedom or, conversely, their isolation. You should be able to use the word in high-level academic or professional discourse, perhaps discussing the '宽敞度' (degree of spaciousness) in ergonomic studies or the socio-economic implications of '宽敞' housing in urban centers. Your usage should be flawless, effortlessly choosing '宽敞' for a ballroom, '宽阔' for a boulevard, '广阔' for a market prospect, and '辽阔' for the Mongolian steppes. You might even play with the word in creative writing, using it to describe the '宽敞' silence of a cathedral or the '宽敞' possibilities of a new era, demonstrating a deep, intuitive grasp of its semantic range and evocative power.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

宽敞 in 30 Seconds

宽敞 (kuān chang) is an adjective used to describe a place that is spacious and roomy, specifically for buildings, rooms, and vehicles.
It combines 'wide' (宽) and 'open' (敞), implying a comfortable and airy feeling rather than just a simple measurement of size.
It is a very positive word, frequently used in real estate, travel reviews, and as a polite compliment when visiting someone's home.
Commonly paired with '明亮' (bright) to form the phrase '宽敞明亮', describing the ideal quality of a living or working space.

The word 宽敞 (kuān chang) is a quintessential adjective in the Chinese language used to describe physical spaces that are not just large, but specifically provide a sense of openness, comfort, and freedom of movement. At its core, the character 宽 (kuān) means wide or broad, and 敞 (chǎng) means open or spacious. When combined, they evoke an image of a room or a building where one doesn't feel confined. Unlike the simple word 大 (dà - big), which can describe anything from an elephant to a problem, 宽敞 is almost exclusively reserved for architectural or environmental contexts like rooms, halls, courtyards, or streets. It carries a positive connotation, often implying that the space is well-ventilated, well-lit, and pleasant to be in. In modern Chinese society, where urban living can often be cramped, describing an apartment as 宽敞 is one of the highest compliments a real estate agent or a guest can give.

Physical Dimension: Refers to the actual square footage being ample for the intended purpose.
Psychological Feeling: Refers to the sense of relief and lack of claustrophobia one feels in an open area.

这个客厅非常宽敞，放得下三张沙发。(This living room is very spacious; it can fit three sofas.)

In a broader sense, 宽敞 is used to distinguish between a space that is merely functional and one that is luxurious or comfortable. For instance, a hospital corridor might be 'big' (大), but if it allows four people to walk abreast without touching, it is 宽敞. It is also frequently paired with 明亮 (míngliàng - bright) to form the common phrase 宽敞明亮, which is the gold standard for describing a desirable living or working environment. You will hear this word in real estate advertisements, when discussing office renovations, or when describing the interior of a new car. It suggests that the designer has prioritized the user's comfort by not crowding the space with unnecessary partitions or furniture.

新落成的图书馆大厅既宽敞又现代。(The newly completed library hall is both spacious and modern.)

Context: Real Estate: Used to justify higher prices or highlight the quality of a property.
Context: Transportation: Used to describe the legroom in airplanes, buses, or trains.

这辆大巴车的座位很宽敞。(The seats on this bus are very spacious.)

Furthermore, the word reflects a cultural value in China regarding 'face' and status. A 宽敞 home or office is often seen as a sign of success. Historically, traditional Chinese architecture, such as the Siheyuan (courtyard houses), emphasized the balance of open space and built structures. The central courtyard was the 'spacious' heart of the home, providing light and air. Today, as high-rise living becomes the norm, the desire for 宽敞 spaces remains a primary driver in interior design and urban planning. It is a word that carries the weight of aspiration and the relief of physical freedom.

我们的新办公室比以前的要宽敞得多。(Our new office is much more spacious than the previous one.)

Antonym: 狭窄 (xiázhǎi): The direct opposite, meaning narrow or cramped.

虽然走廊很窄，但房间里非常宽敞。(Although the hallway is very narrow, the room inside is very spacious.)

In summary, 宽敞 is a word that bridges the gap between simple measurement and aesthetic appreciation. It tells the listener that the space is not just big enough, but comfortably large, offering a sense of freedom and luxury that is highly valued in both personal and professional spheres.

Using 宽敞 (kuān chang) correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as an adjective and its specific collocation preferences. Primarily, it functions as a predicate or an attributive. As a predicate, it often follows adverbs of degree like 很 (hěn - very), 非常 (fēicháng - extremely), or 挺 (tǐng - quite). For example, '教室很宽敞' (The classroom is very spacious). When used as an attributive to modify a noun, it typically takes the particle 的 (de), as in '宽敞的客厅' (a spacious living room). It is important to note that 宽敞 is rarely used to describe people, abstract concepts, or vast natural landscapes like the ocean or the sky (where words like 辽阔 or 广阔 are preferred).

Structure: Noun + (Adverb) + 宽敞: The most common way to state that a place is spacious.
Structure: 宽敞的 + Noun: Used when describing the quality of a specific space within a longer sentence.

搬进宽敞的新家后，孩子们有了自己的活动空间。(After moving into the spacious new home, the children had their own space for activities.)

Another sophisticated way to use 宽敞 is in comparative structures. You can say 'A比B宽敞' (A is more spacious than B) or '这间屋子显得很宽敞' (This room appears to be very spacious). The verb 显得 (xiǎnde - to appear/to seem) is a frequent companion to 宽敞 because spaciousness is often a matter of perception, influenced by lighting and furniture arrangement. In formal writing, you might see it combined with other adjectives to create a more vivid description, such as 宽敞平坦 (spacious and level) when describing a road or a plaza. It can also be used in the negative form 不宽敞 (not spacious), which is a polite way of saying a place is small or cramped.

由于家具很少，这间卧室显得格外宽敞。(Because there is very little furniture, this bedroom appears exceptionally spacious.)

Collocation: 宽敞明亮: Spacious and bright—the most common four-character phrase for rooms.
Collocation: 宽敞舒适: Spacious and comfortable—often used in travel and hospitality.

这家酒店的客房既宽敞又舒适。(The hotel's guest rooms are both spacious and comfortable.)

When writing, remember that 宽敞 describes the *internal* space of something. You wouldn't say a mountain is 宽敞, but you could say a cave inside the mountain is 宽敞. Similarly, a city might have 宽敞的街道 (spacious streets), but the city itself would be described as 广大 (guǎngdà - vast) or 大 (dà - big). In the context of technology, one might metaphorically use 宽敞 to describe a user interface with lots of 'white space', though this is more creative and less standard. Stick to physical rooms, vehicles, and thoroughfares for the most natural usage.

为了让客厅看起来更宽敞，他拆掉了中间的隔墙。(To make the living room look more spacious, he tore down the partition wall in the middle.)

Comparative: 比...宽敞: Used to compare the size of two rooms or areas.

头等舱的座位比经济舱要宽敞许多。(The seats in first class are much more spacious than those in economy class.)

In conclusion, mastering 宽敞 involves recognizing it as a descriptive tool for interiors and enclosed spaces. Whether you are praising a friend's new apartment or writing a travel blog about a grand cathedral, 宽敞 is the word that conveys the luxury of space and the comfort of an open environment.

You will encounter 宽敞 (kuān chang) in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from casual conversations to professional marketing. One of the most common places is in the real estate market. In China, where property is a major topic of discussion, agents will constantly use 宽敞 to describe apartments, especially the 'living room' (客厅) and 'master bedroom' (主卧). You'll see it in online listings, brochures, and during property tours. It's a key selling point that suggests a high quality of life. For example, a listing might read: '户型方正，空间宽敞' (The layout is square and the space is spacious). Hearing this word in a property context immediately signals that the space is a major asset of the property.

Real Estate Listings: Frequently used to describe living rooms, balconies, and overall floor plans.
Travel & Hospitality: Used in hotel descriptions and reviews to praise room sizes.

这间总统套房非常宽敞，视野也很好。(This presidential suite is very spacious and has a great view.)

Another frequent setting is transportation and travel. When people review airlines, trains, or car models, they often talk about the 'legroom' or the 'cabin space'. A '宽敞的座位' (spacious seat) is a major factor in passenger satisfaction. You'll hear travelers saying, '这架飞机的经济舱还挺宽敞的' (The economy class on this plane is actually quite spacious). Similarly, in car reviews, experts will discuss whether the back seat is 宽敞 enough for three adults. In these contexts, the word is synonymous with comfort and premium service. It's the opposite of feeling 'squeezed' (挤).

后排空间很宽敞，坐三个大人也不觉得挤。(The back seat space is very spacious; even with three adults, it doesn't feel crowded.)

Public Infrastructure: Used to describe new airports, train stations, and highways.
Workplace Discussions: Used when moving to a new office or rearranging desks.

新火车站的大厅非常宽敞，可以容纳数千人。(The hall of the new train station is very spacious and can accommodate thousands of people.)

In daily social life, you'll hear 宽敞 when friends visit each other's homes. It's a standard polite remark: '你家真宽敞啊！' (Your home is so spacious!). Even if the home isn't massive, using this word is a way to compliment the host's sense of organization and the airy feel of the house. You might also hear it in news reports about urban development, where the government boasts about '宽敞的马路' (spacious roads) to show progress in infrastructure. In schools, teachers might describe a '宽敞的操场' (spacious playground) as a benefit for students' physical health. In all these cases, the word carries a sense of positivity, progress, and breathing room.

虽然是老房子，但里边装修得挺宽敞。(Although it's an old house, the interior is renovated to be quite spacious.)

Finally, you'll see this word in literature and descriptive writing. Authors use it to set the scene, perhaps contrasting a '宽敞' mansion with a '狭窄' alleyway to highlight social differences or to create a specific mood. Whether it's the '宽敞' deck of a ship or the '宽敞' stage of a theater, the word helps the reader visualize the scale and the atmosphere of the setting. It is a versatile, high-frequency word that is essential for anyone wanting to describe the world around them in Chinese.

While 宽敞 (kuān chang) is a relatively straightforward word, English speakers often make mistakes by over-applying it to contexts where other 'wide' or 'big' words are more appropriate. The most common error is using 宽敞 for abstract concepts. For example, you cannot say your 'mind' is 宽敞. In Chinese, a broad mind is described as 宽广 (kuānguǎng) or 开阔 (kāikuò). 宽敞 is strictly for physical, three-dimensional spaces that people can enter or occupy. Another mistake is using it for vast natural landscapes. You wouldn't describe the Gobi Desert or the Pacific Ocean as 宽敞; for those, you must use 辽阔 (liáokuò) or 广阔 (guǎngkuò), which emphasize horizontal vastness rather than roominess.

Mistake: Abstract usage: Incorrect: 他的心胸很宽敞。 Correct: 他的心胸很宽广。
Mistake: Natural landscapes: Incorrect: 宽敞的大海。 Correct: 辽阔的大海。

注意：不要用“宽敞”来形容草原或海洋。(Note: Do not use 'spacious' to describe grasslands or oceans.)

Another nuance involves the difference between 宽敞 and 宽 (kuān). While both relate to width, 宽 is a simple measurement (wide), whereas 宽敞 is a descriptive quality (spacious). You can say a river is '很宽' (very wide), but you cannot say it is '宽敞'. 宽敞 implies that there is 'room' or 'space' for something to happen inside. Similarly, for a road, you can use 宽 to describe its width, but 宽敞 is only used if the road feels like an open, airy space, often in a more literary or appreciative sense. Beginners also sometimes confuse it with 大 (dà). While a spacious room is always big, a big object (like a big box or a big rock) is never 宽敞.

这条马路很宽，但不能说它很“宽敞”除非你想强调它非常开阔。(This road is wide, but you shouldn't call it 'spacious' unless you want to emphasize its openness.)

Mistake: Describing objects: Incorrect: 一个宽敞的西瓜。 Correct: 一个很大的西瓜。

A final common mistake is the misuse of the character '敞'. Students sometimes forget the 'open' aspect of the word. If a room is large but filled with clutter and junk, Chinese speakers would be hesitant to call it 宽敞. The word implies a certain level of emptiness or well-arranged space that allows for movement. If a room is packed with furniture, even if it's 100 square meters, it might be '大' but it isn't '宽敞'. Understanding this subjective, atmospheric quality of the word will help you use it like a native speaker. Always ask yourself: 'Does this space feel open?' If the answer is yes, then 宽敞 is likely the right choice.

虽然房间很大，但堆满了东西，一点也不宽敞。(Although the room is big, it's piled with things and isn't spacious at all.)

By avoiding these common pitfalls—abstract usage, misapplying to natural landscapes, and confusing it with simple width or size—you will significantly improve the accuracy and naturalness of your Chinese descriptions. Remember that 宽敞 is about the harmony of size and openness in human-made or human-occupied spaces.

In Chinese, there are several words that translate to 'spacious', 'wide', or 'vast', and choosing the right one is key to sounding natural. 宽敞 (kuān chang) is our primary word for rooms and buildings. However, you should also be familiar with 宽阔 (kuānkuò), 广阔 (guǎngkuò), and 辽阔 (liáokuò). While they all share the character 宽 or 阔 (meaning wide/broad), they are used in very different contexts. 宽阔 is typically used for things like roads, bridges, or rivers—things that are physically wide in a linear sense. 广阔 is often used for fields, prospects, or abstract areas like 'a wide field of vision'. 辽阔 is reserved for the most immense scales, like the sea, the sky, or vast grasslands.

宽阔 (kuānkuò): Used for: Roads, rivers, shoulders. Focuses on horizontal width.
广阔 (guǎngkuò): Used for: Fields, prospects, horizons. Focuses on area and scale.
辽阔 (liáokuò): Used for: Oceans, grasslands, the sky. Focuses on vast, boundary-less space.

汽车在宽阔的高速公路上飞驰。(The car speeds along the wide highway.)

Another set of alternatives includes 敞亮 (chǎngliàng) and 豁亮 (huòliàng). 敞亮 is very similar to 宽敞 but places a slightly stronger emphasis on being 'bright' (亮) as well as open. It is more common in Northern Chinese dialects and informal speech. If you say a room is 敞亮, you are saying it feels great because it’s both big and has lots of light. 豁亮 is even more emphatic, often used to describe the feeling of a space opening up suddenly, or metaphorically to describe a sudden realization where everything becomes clear. For example, '心里豁亮了' (My heart felt suddenly clear and bright).

这间屋子窗户很大，显得特别敞亮。(This room has big windows and looks especially bright and spacious.)

开阔 (kāikuò): Used for: Views, minds, terrain. Focuses on the lack of obstruction.

登上山顶，眼前的视野变得非常开阔。(Reaching the top of the mountain, the view before the eyes becomes very open.)

When you want to emphasize that a space is 'grand' or 'magnificent' in addition to being spacious, you might use 宏大 (hóngdà) or 雄伟 (xióngwěi). These are often used for monuments, palaces, or large-scale projects. While a palace is 宽敞, describing it as 宏大 adds a layer of awe and structural scale. For instance, the Forbidden City is 规模宏大 (grand in scale). Lastly, in very informal settings, people might just say 大 (dà) or 开 (kāi). For example, '这地方真开！' (This place is really open/spacious!). However, 宽敞 remains the most standard and versatile adjective for everyday descriptions of roomy interiors.

我们要为年轻人提供更广阔的发展空间。(We need to provide young people with a broader space for development.)

In conclusion, while 宽敞 is your 'go-to' word for spacious rooms, having these alternatives in your vocabulary allows you to describe different types of 'largeness' with precision. Whether you are talking about a wide road, a vast ocean, or a bright and airy studio, choosing the right word will make your Chinese sound more sophisticated and accurate.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Chinese, '敞' was often used to describe high, open buildings on hills used for viewing the scenery. This sense of 'openness' and 'view' still lingers in the word '宽敞' today.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kwæn tʃæŋ/

US /kwɑn tʃɑŋ/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'kuān'. The second syllable 'chang' is often pronounced in the neutral tone (轻声).

Rhymes With

安 (ān) 班 (bān) 山 (shān) 天 (tiān - partial) 长 (cháng) 方 (fāng) 光 (guāng) 亮 (liàng - partial)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'chang' with a third tone (chǎng) instead of the neutral tone.
Failing to aspirate the 'ch' in 'chang'.
Merging the two syllables into one.
Mispronouncing the 'u' in 'kuān' as a 'v' sound.
Over-emphasizing the second syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are moderately complex but common in daily reading.

Writing 4/5

The character '敞' has many strokes and requires practice to write correctly.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is relatively easy, especially with the neutral tone on the second syllable.

Listening 2/5

High frequency makes it easy to recognize in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

大 (dà) 宽 (kuān) 房间 (fángjiān) 家 (jiā) 很 (hěn)

Learn Next

宽阔 (kuānkuò) 广阔 (guǎngkuò) 辽阔 (liáokuò) 明亮 (míngliàng) 舒适 (shūshì)

Advanced

宏伟 (hóngwěi) 局促 (júcù) 豁然开朗 (huòrán kāilǎng) 别有洞天 (biéyǒu dòngtiān)

Grammar to Know

Adjective reduplication (AABB)

宽宽敞敞 (kuān kuān chǎng chǎng) - emphasizes the spaciousness.

The particle '的' with adjectives

宽敞的教室 (A spacious classroom).

Adverbs of degree

非常宽敞 (Extremely spacious).

Complements of degree

宽敞极了 (Spacious to the extreme).

Comparative structures with '比'

这个房间比那个宽敞。

Examples by Level

我的房间很宽敞。

My room is very spacious.

Subject + 很 + Adjective.

教室宽敞吗？

Is the classroom spacious?

Question with 吗.

这个家很宽敞。

This home is very spacious.

Measure word '个' for home.

书店又大又宽敞。

The bookstore is both big and spacious.

又...又... structure.

宽敞的办公室。

A spacious office.

Adjective + 的 + Noun.

公共汽车很宽敞。

The bus is very spacious.

Subject + 很 + Adjective.

他家有一间宽敞的厨房。

His house has a spacious kitchen.

Verb '有' for possession.

这里很宽敞，我们可以跳舞。

It's very spacious here; we can dance.

Clause showing result of the space.

新搬的家比以前宽敞多了。

The new home is much more spacious than before.

A 比 B + Adjective + 多了.

这辆车的后座非常宽敞。

The back seat of this car is very spacious.

Modifier '非常' before the adjective.

我们想要一间宽敞明亮的教室。

We want a spacious and bright classroom.

Double adjective phrase '宽敞明亮'.

这家饭店的大厅挺宽敞的。

The lobby of this restaurant is quite spacious.

挺...的 structure.

因为没有家具，房间显得很宽敞。

Because there is no furniture, the room appears very spacious.

显得 (to appear) + Adjective.

火车站的候车室宽敞得不得了。

The waiting room at the train station is incredibly spacious.

Adjective + 得不得了 (extremely).

他买了一套宽敞的公寓。

He bought a spacious apartment.

Measure word '套' for apartment.

这个花园虽然不大，但很宽敞。

Although this garden is not big, it is spacious (open).

虽然...但... contrast.

为了让屋子看起来更宽敞，墙壁涂成了白色。

To make the house look more spacious, the walls were painted white.

为了... (In order to...) purpose clause.

新落成的体育馆宽敞雄伟。

The newly completed gymnasium is spacious and magnificent.

Combining adjectives for descriptive power.

这家超市的通道很宽敞，推车很方便。

The aisles of this supermarket are very spacious, making it easy to push a cart.

Reasoning clause followed by convenience.

这种户型的客厅特别宽敞，很受年轻人欢迎。

The living room of this apartment layout is particularly spacious, and is very popular among young people.

Subject-predicate phrase as attribute.

虽然租金贵，但这里办公环境宽敞舒适。

Although the rent is expensive, the office environment here is spacious and comfortable.

Transition word '虽然' (although).

你可以把书架挪走，这样房间会宽敞一些。

You can move the bookshelf away; that way, the room will be a bit more spacious.

这样 (in this way) to show result.

头等舱的座位确实比经济舱宽敞得多。

The seats in first class are indeed much more spacious than in economy.

Emphasis word '确实' (indeed).

这个礼堂非常宽敞，可以容纳五百人。

This auditorium is very spacious and can accommodate five hundred people.

Capacity '可以容纳'.

设计师巧妙地利用镜子，使狭小的空间显得宽敞了许多。

The designer cleverly used mirrors to make the narrow space appear much more spacious.

使 (to cause/make) + Object + Predicate.

在宽敞的街道两旁，种满了绿油油的树木。

On both sides of the spacious street, green trees are planted everywhere.

Locative phrase '在...两旁'.

这家工厂拥有宽敞的生产车间和先进的设备。

This factory possesses a spacious production workshop and advanced equipment.

Formal verb '拥有' (to possess).

新机场的航站楼布局合理，空间宽敞，给旅客留下了深刻印象。

The layout of the new airport terminal is reasonable and the space is spacious, leaving a deep impression on travelers.

Resultative phrase '留下深刻印象'.

尽管房间宽敞，但如果没有阳光，依然会感到压抑。

Despite the room being spacious, if there is no sunlight, it will still feel depressing.

尽管...依然... (Despite... still...).

他向往宽敞自由的生活环境，于是决定搬到郊区去住。

He yearned for a spacious and free living environment, so he decided to move to the suburbs.

向往 (to yearn for) + Object.

宽敞的阳台是这套房子最大的卖点之一。

The spacious balcony is one of the biggest selling points of this apartment.

...之一 (one of...).

随着经济的发展，人们对住房的要求不再仅仅是宽敞，更要求舒适。

With economic development, people's requirements for housing are no longer just about being spacious, but also about being comfortable.

不再仅仅是...更... (No longer just... but also...).

故宫的广场宽敞得让人感到自己的渺小。

The squares in the Forbidden City are so spacious that they make one feel insignificant.

Adjective + 得 + Clause (result of the degree).

简约主义设计风格强调留白，从而营造出宽敞的视觉效果。

Minimalist design style emphasizes negative space, thereby creating a spacious visual effect.

从而 (thereby) to show logical consequence.

虽然展厅面积有限，但合理的布展使空间显得格外宽敞。

Although the exhibition hall area is limited, the reasonable layout makes the space appear exceptionally spacious.

Modifier '格外' (exceptionally).

在那个宽敞的宴会厅里，正在举行一场盛大的慈善晚宴。

In that spacious banquet hall, a grand charity dinner is being held.

Progressive aspect '正在'.

城市规划者致力于拓宽道路，为市民提供更宽敞的出行空间。

Urban planners are committed to widening roads to provide citizens with more spacious travel space.

致力于 (to be committed to).

这座官邸内部极尽奢华，每一间房屋都宽敞得惊人。

The interior of this mansion is extremely luxurious; every single room is astonishingly spacious.

惊人 (astonishing) used as a complement.

这种开放式办公区虽然宽敞，但有时会显得有些吵闹。

Although this open-plan office is spacious, it can sometimes seem a bit noisy.

Adverb '有些' (somewhat).

他站在宽敞的露台上，俯瞰着整座城市的夜景。

Standing on the spacious terrace, he looked down at the night view of the entire city.

Present participle equivalent '站在...上'.

在这部小说中，作者将宽敞的府邸与阴暗的后巷进行对比，隐喻社会阶级的鸿沟。

In this novel, the author contrasts the spacious mansion with the dark back alleys, metaphorically representing the chasm between social classes.

将 A 与 B 进行对比 (Contrast A with B).

建筑的魅力不仅在于其宏伟的外观，更在于其内部空间所营造出的宽敞感与自由感。

The charm of architecture lies not only in its grand exterior but also in the sense of spaciousness and freedom created by its interior space.

不仅在于...更在于... (Lies not only in... but more so in...).

通过巧妙的透视法，画家在有限的画布上展现了一个异常宽敞的世界。

Through clever perspective, the painter revealed an exceptionally spacious world on a limited canvas.

Through (通过) + Method.

这种新型客机的客舱采用了宽体设计，即便在满员的情况下也显得十分宽敞。

The cabin of this new type of airliner adopts a wide-body design, making it appear very spacious even when full.

即便...也... (Even if... still...).

那座废弃的礼堂如今显得格外荒凉，只有宽敞的空间依然诉说着往日的辉煌。

That abandoned auditorium now appears exceptionally desolate; only its spacious dimensions still speak of its past glory.

Personification '诉说着' (speaking/telling).

在那个宽敞的庭院里，古老的槐树见证了家族几代人的兴衰。

In that spacious courtyard, the ancient locust tree witnessed the rise and fall of several generations of the family.

Locative subject '在...里'.

为了追求极致的宽敞感，他甚至拆除了卧室内不必要的隔断。

In pursuit of the ultimate sense of spaciousness, he even removed unnecessary partitions within the bedroom.

为了追求 (In pursuit of).

博物馆的展厅宽敞通透，使得每一件展品都能在最佳的光影下呈现。

The museum's exhibition halls are spacious and transparent, ensuring that every exhibit can be presented under optimal lighting.

使得 (making/ensuring that) + Clause.

Synonyms

开阔广阔辽阔宏大豁亮

Antonyms

狭窄拥挤矮小局促

Common Collocations

宽敞明亮

宽敞舒适

显得宽敞

空间宽敞

宽敞的客厅

宽敞的街道

非常宽敞

变得宽敞

宽敞的办公室

不怎么宽敞

Common Phrases

宽敞明亮

— Spacious and bright. Used to describe the ideal room.

新房子的客厅宽敞明亮。

宽敞舒适

— Spacious and comfortable. Common in travel ads.

这家旅馆提供宽敞舒适的客房。

宽敞平坦

— Spacious and level/flat. Used for roads or plazas.

宽敞平坦的马路上没有车。

宽敞大方

— Spacious and elegant/tasteful. Used for interior design.

书房布置得宽敞大方。

格外宽敞

— Exceptionally spacious.

由于没有隔墙，大厅显得格外宽敞。

相当宽敞

— Quite spacious.

这辆SUV的后排相当宽敞。

比较宽敞

— Relatively spacious.

比起旧办公室，这里比较宽敞。

宽敞的庭院

— A spacious courtyard.

老家有一个宽敞的庭院。

宽敞的走廊

— A spacious corridor/hallway.

医院的走廊非常宽敞。

宽敞的厂房

— A spacious factory building.

公司新建了一座宽敞的厂房。

Often Confused With

宽敞 vs 宽阔

Used for roads or rivers. '宽敞' is for rooms or interiors.

宽敞 vs 广阔

Used for vast fields or abstract prospects. '宽敞' is for physical roominess.

宽敞 vs 辽阔

Used for the sea or sky. '宽敞' is too small for these scales.

Idioms & Expressions

"宽敞明亮"

— Though technically a set phrase, it functions like an idiom to describe a perfect room.

他的新家宽敞明亮，非常舒服。

General

"心宽体胖"

— A happy person with a broad mind tends to get fit/stout. Uses '宽' but not '宽敞'.

退休后他心宽体胖，精神很好。

General

"大有可为"

— Having a broad/spacious prospect for success.

这个项目大有可为。

Formal

"绰绰有余"

— More than enough space/capacity.

这个房间坐二十个人绰绰有余。

Literary

"别有洞天"

— A small entrance leading to a surprisingly spacious or beautiful place.

走进小门，里面别有洞天。

Literary

"虚位以待"

— Leaving a spacious/empty seat for a worthy person.

公司经理的位置一直虚位以待。

Formal

"高屋建瓴"

— Operating from a high, spacious vantage point.

他的报告高屋建瓴，很有深度。

Formal

"豁然开朗"

— Suddenly becoming spacious and bright (often used for a view or a realization).

走出森林，眼前豁然开朗。

Literary

"广袤无垠"

— Vast and limitless (for land, not rooms).

广袤无垠的草原。

Literary

"包罗万象"

— Spacious enough to include everything (metaphorical).

这部百科全书包罗万象。

Literary

Easily Confused

宽敞 vs 宽阔 (kuānkuò)

Both mean 'wide'.

宽阔 is 2D (roads, bridges), while 宽敞 is 3D (rooms, halls). You can't enter a '宽阔', but you can enter a '宽敞'.

宽阔的马路 vs 宽敞的房间。

宽敞 vs 广阔 (guǎngkuò)

Both imply 'vast space'.

广阔 is for huge outdoor areas like fields or markets. 宽敞 is for 'roomy' indoor or specific spaces.

广阔的农村 vs 宽敞的教室。

宽敞 vs 开阔 (kāikuò)

Both relate to 'open space'.

开阔 focuses on the view being unobstructed. 宽敞 focuses on the amount of physical space available.

视野开阔 vs 空间宽敞。

宽敞 vs 大 (dà)

Both mean 'big'.

大 is general. 宽敞 is a specific type of 'big' that feels open and comfortable. A box is '大', but not '宽敞'.

很大的石头 vs 宽敞的家。

宽敞 vs 敞亮 (chǎngliàng)

Almost identical meaning.

敞亮 is more colloquial and emphasizes brightness (light) more than 宽敞.

这屋子真敞亮！

Sentence Patterns

Subject + 很 + 宽敞。

我的家很宽敞。

宽敞的 + Noun + ...

宽敞的客厅里有沙发。

Subject + 显得 + 很 + 宽敞。

这间屋子显得很宽敞。

Subject + 又...又宽敞。

教室又明亮又宽敞。

A 比 B + 宽敞 + (多了/得多)。

新办公室比旧的宽敞多了。

虽然...但...宽敞。

虽然房子小，但客厅很宽敞。

宽敞得 + Clause (Result).

礼堂宽敞得能放下五百张椅子。

Noun + 以其 + 宽敞 + 而闻名。

这座宫殿以其宽敞的大厅而闻名。

Word Family

Nouns

宽度 (kuāndù - width)

空间 (kōngjiān - space)

Verbs

拓宽 (tuòkuān - to widen)

敞开 (chǎngkāi - to open wide)

Adjectives

宽 (kuān - wide)

阔 (kuò - broad)

宽阔 (kuānkuò - wide/broad)

广阔 (guǎngkuò - vast)

明亮 (míngliàng)

舒适 (shūshì)

拥挤 (yōngjǐ)

狭窄 (xiázhǎi)

整洁 (zhěngjié)

How to Use It

frequency

High (Top 3000 words in modern Mandarin).

Common Mistakes

他的心很宽敞。 → 他的心很宽广。
'宽敞' is for physical spaces, not abstract concepts like a heart or mind.
这条河很宽敞。 → 这条河很宽。
Rivers are described by their width (宽) or being broad (宽阔), not 'spacious'.
大海非常宽敞。 → 大海非常辽阔。
The ocean is too vast for '宽敞'. Use '辽阔' for natural landscapes.
一个宽敞的西瓜。 → 一个很大的西瓜。
You can't go inside a watermelon, so it can't be 'spacious'. Just use '大'.
这个箱子很宽敞。 → 这个箱子很大。
Unless the box is big enough for a person to live in comfortably, '大' is better.

Tips

Real Estate Magic

When looking at apartments in China, agents will always use '宽敞'. It's a key word for value.

The 'De' Rule

Remember to use '的' when '宽敞' comes before a noun, like '宽敞的客厅'.

Pairing

Always try to pair it with '明亮' (bright). '宽敞明亮' is a classic combo.

Complimenting

Say '你家真宽敞' to make your Chinese host happy. It's a very safe compliment.

Room vs Road

Room = 宽敞. Road = 宽阔. Don't mix them up!

No Minds!

Don't use it for minds or hearts. Keep it physical.

Neutral Tone

Practice the neutral tone on 'chang' to sound more natural.

Clutter Matters

If a room is messy, don't call it '宽敞', even if it's big. It needs to feel 'open'.

Seat Comfort

Use it to ask for a better seat: '有没有更宽敞一点的座位？'

Reduplication

Use '宽宽敞敞' in stories to emphasize how nice and big a place is.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a room so 'KUAN' (wide) that you can 'CHANG' (charge) through it without hitting anything! The first character looks like a roof over a wide area, and the second character has the 'open' radical on the right.

Visual Association

Visualize a bright, empty ballroom with high ceilings and white walls. There are no boxes or clutter, just pure, open space.

Word Web

House Room Car Office Hall Open Bright Comfortable

Challenge

Try to describe three different rooms in your house using '宽敞' or its negative '不宽敞'. Then, look at your car's interior and decide if it is '宽敞'.

Word Origin

The word is composed of two characters: 宽 (kuān) and 敞 (chǎng). 宽 historically depicted a 'house' (宀) with a 'goat/animal' (苋/萈) inside, suggesting a large enough space for livestock. 敞 depicts a 'building/shed' (尚) and 'to tap/action' (攵), meaning to open up or reveal.

Original meaning: To open up a wide space or to have a broad, unobstructed interior.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful when describing someone's home. If it is small, avoid saying it is '不宽敞' directly, as it might sound rude. Use '温馨' (wēnxīn - cozy) instead.

In English, we might use 'spacious', 'roomy', or 'airy'. 'Spacious' is the closest equivalent.

Real estate slogans: '宽敞明亮，拎包入住' (Spacious and bright, move in with just your bags). Description of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The 'spacious' decks of the Titanic in Chinese translations.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Real Estate

户型宽敞
客厅宽敞
宽敞明亮
空间宽敞

Transportation

座位宽敞
腿部空间宽敞
车厢宽敞
后座宽敞

Socializing

你家真宽敞
这里很宽敞
宽敞舒服
挺宽敞的

Interior Design

显得宽敞
更宽敞
布局宽敞
视觉宽敞

Public Places

大厅宽敞
广场宽敞
街道宽敞
礼堂宽敞

Conversation Starters

"你觉得这个新办公室宽敞吗？ (Do you think this new office is spacious?)"

"你理想中的家是不是应该非常宽敞？ (Should your ideal home be very spacious?)"

"这辆车的后排坐三个人宽敞吗？ (Is the back seat of this car spacious for three people?)"

"为了让房间显得宽敞，你有什么好办法？ (What good ideas do you have to make a room appear spacious?)"

"你更喜欢温馨的小房间还是宽敞的大厅？ (Do you prefer cozy small rooms or spacious halls?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一下你现在住的地方，它宽敞吗？为什么？ (Describe where you live now. Is it spacious? Why?)

如果你可以重新设计你的房间，你会如何让它变得更宽敞？ (If you could redesign your room, how would you make it more spacious?)

谈谈你去过的一个最宽敞的公共场所。 (Talk about the most spacious public place you have ever been to.)

空间宽敞对你的工作效率有影响吗？请详细说明。 (Does a spacious environment affect your work efficiency? Please explain in detail.)

比较一下城市公寓和郊区房子的宽敞程度。 (Compare the spaciousness of city apartments and suburban houses.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use '宽广' (kuānguǎng) or '开阔' (kāikuò) for abstract things like a person's mind or heart. '宽敞' is strictly for physical spaces like rooms.

Yes, '宽敞' almost always implies a positive, comfortable feeling. If a space is too big and feels empty or scary, you might use '空旷' (kōngkuàng) instead.

'大' is just 'big'. '宽敞' means 'spacious'. A big closet might be '大', but a big living room where you can dance is '宽敞'.

Yes, but '宽阔' (kuānkuò) is more common for roads. Use '宽敞' if you want to emphasize that the road feels very open and pleasant.

You can say '不宽敞' or '不怎么宽敞'. If it's really small, use '狭窄' (narrow) or '拥挤' (crowded).

Yes, it is used in both formal and informal Chinese. It's very common in business reports, real estate, and literature.

It means 'spacious and bright'. It's the most common phrase used to describe a high-quality room or office.

Yes! It's the perfect word to describe a car with a lot of legroom and interior space.

Yes, the second character '敞' is often pronounced in the neutral tone (kuānchang) in daily speech, though its original tone is the third (chǎng).

Usually not. You would describe a city as '大' or '广阔'. You use '宽敞' for specific areas *within* the city, like streets or squares.