1.
diverse, wide-ranging, manifold, many-branched
Describes something that branches out into many different areas or directions. Almost always used in the fixed expression 多岐にわたる (to span many areas). Literally means 'many branches' (of a path).
議論は多岐にわたった。
The discussion covered a wide range of topics.
彼の活動は多岐にわたる。
His activities span a wide range of fields.
被害は多岐にわたっており、全容の把握にはまだ時間がかかる。
The damage is wide-ranging, and it will still take time to grasp the full picture.
多岐 literally means "many branches" (of a road or path). It is almost exclusively used in the fixed expression 多岐にわたる.
KEY EXPRESSION:
多岐にわたる: to span many areas, to be wide-ranging
- 多岐にわたる分野: fields spanning many areas
- 多岐にわたる問題: problems covering many areas
REGISTER:
Formal and written. Common in news articles, reports, academic writing, and business documents. In casual conversation, 幅広い or いろいろな would be preferred.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 多岐にわたる: spanning many branches/areas (formal, fixed expression)
- 幅広い: wide-ranging, broad (more general, less formal)
- 多方面: many directions/fields (similar formality)