1.
extent; spaciousness; size (of area)
The degree to which something is wide or spacious.
広さ is the noun form of the adjective 広い (wide, spacious), created with the suffix ~さ.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ~の広さ (the size/extent of ~)
- 広さは~平方メートル (~ square meters in area)
- 広さに驚く (to be surprised by the spaciousness)
MEASUREMENT USAGE:
When asking about room/area size in Japan:
- この部屋の広さは? (How big is this room?)
- 広さは20畳です (It's 20 tatami mats in size)
FIGURATIVE USAGE:
広さ can describe abstract breadth:
- 心の広さ (broadmindedness)
- 知識の広さ (breadth of knowledge)
RELATED MEASUREMENTS:
- 面積: Area (more technical/precise)
- 大きさ: Size (more general)