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Throughout; over a period/area
Definition
The grammar pattern 'N + にわたって' is used to describe an action or state that extends over a large scale, whole duration, or entire area. The noun before it represents time, space, frequency, or range. This pattern emphasizes the scope or scale of the action or state, rather than the medium or continuous state. It is often used to describe a situation that occurs throughout a certain period, area, or frequency.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | N + にわたって | 会議は5時間にわたって、熱心な議論が交わされた。 |
| Adjective | Adj + の + にわたって | 多岐の調査にわたる結果、原因が判明した。 |
| Noun (space) | N + にわたって | この道路は数十キロにわたって渋滞が続いた。 |
Examples
会議は5時間にわたって、熱心な議論が交わされた。
Kaigi wa gojikan niwatare, netsui na kōshō ga kawasareta.
The meeting lasted for 5 hours, with intense discussions.
会議 (meeting) は 5 時間 (5 hours) にわたって (throughout) 熱心な議論 (intense discussions) が交わされた (exchanged).
多岐の調査にわたる結果、原因が判明した。
Tajiki no chōsa niwatare no ketsugō, gen'in ga hamiru shita.
The results of the extensive investigation revealed the cause.
多岐 (extensive) の調査 (investigation) にわたる (throughout) 結果 (results)、原因 (cause) が判明した (revealed).
この道路は数十キロにわたって渋滞が続いた。
Kono dōro wa sūjūkiro niwatare, shibosha ga tsuzuku.
The traffic congestion continued for tens of kilometers.
この道路 (this road) は 数十キロ (tens of kilometers) にわたって (throughout) 渋滞 (traffic congestion) が続いた (continued).
Context
This pattern is used to describe an action or state that extends over a large scale, whole duration, or entire area. It is often used in formal or written Japanese. Be careful not to confuse it with 'を通して' (which implies a medium or continuous state) or 'を通じて' (which emphasizes the medium or means).
Watch out
This pattern emphasizes the scope or scale of the action or state, so it's not suitable for describing a short, specific point in time.
'を通して' implies a medium or continuous state, whereas 'にわたって' emphasizes the scope or scale of the action or state.
'を通じて' emphasizes the medium or means, whereas 'にわたって' emphasizes the scope or scale of the action or state.
Strategy
Be careful to use the correct pattern to describe the scope or scale of the action or state. Pay attention to the context and the meaning you want to convey.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N2 test-style questions. Each sentence shows N ＋ にわたって / にわたり / にわたる ＋ N used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
会議は5時間にわたって、熱心な議論が交わされた。
Pattern used: にわたって
'にわたって' emphasizes the long duration (5 hours) of the meeting.
多岐にわたる調査の結果、原因が判明した。
Pattern used: に
The set phrase '多岐にわたる' means 'wide-ranging' or 'diverse'.
連休中、この道路は数十キロにわたって渋滞が続いた。
Pattern used: にわたって
Used to describe the physical extent (tens of kilometers) of the traffic jam.
Interactive
会議は5時間______、熱心な議論が交わされた。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.