(ひろ)

ひろさ
noun
extent; spaciousness; width; area
1. extent; spaciousness; size (of area)
The degree to which something is wide or spacious.
How big is this room?
I was surprised by how spacious the park was.
東京(とうきょう)ドーム何個(なんこ)(ぶん)(ひろ)さですか。
How many Tokyo Domes would it take to equal the size?
2. width; breadth
The measurement of how wide something is.
I am impressed by the breadth of his knowledge.
(みち)(ひろ)さは(やく)10メートルだ。
The width of the road is about 10 meters.
視野(しや)(ひろ)さが大切(たいせつ)だ。
Having a broad perspective is important.

(ひろ)さ is the noun form of the adjective (ひろ)い (wide, spacious), created with the suffix ~さ.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • ~の(ひろ)さ (the size/extent of ~)
  • (ひろ)さは~平方(へいほう)メートル (~ square meters in area)
  • (ひろ)さに(おどろ)く (to be surprised by the spaciousness)

MEASUREMENT USAGE:

When asking about room/area size in Japan:

  • この部屋(へや)(ひろ)さは? (How big is this room?)
  • (ひろ)さは20(じょう)です (It's 20 tatami mats in size)

FIGURATIVE USAGE:

(ひろ)さ can describe abstract breadth:

  • (こころ)(ひろ)さ (broadmindedness)
  • 知識(ちしき)(ひろ)さ (breadth of knowledge)

RELATED MEASUREMENTS:

  • 面積(めんせき): Area (more technical/precise)
  • (おお)きさ: Size (more general)