01
breiten
to spread out
To unfold or roll something out so that it covers a larger area.
example
Sie breitete die Picknickdecke auf der Wiese aus.
She spread out the picnic blanket on the meadow.
breiten
to spread
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'breiten' (to spread) is the action related to the adjective 'breit' (wide). It literally means to make something wide or to spread it out.
EXAMPLE
Der Vogel breitete seine Flügel und flog davon.
The bird spread its wings and flew away.
Context clue
Without the reflexive pronoun 'sich' (oneself), 'breiten' (to spread) means that a person actively spreads something out. With 'sich', the verb describes something expanding or spreading by itself, often something abstract.
EXAMPLE
Er breitete die Landkarte auf dem Tisch aus.
He spread out the map on the table.
Typical collocations
When a person actively spreads something out, typical objects are arms, wings, a blanket, a tarp, or a map.
EXAMPLE
Er breitete die Arme aus, um seine Tochter zu umarmen.
He spread out his arms to hug his daughter.
Abstract usage
The reflexive form 'sich breiten' (to spread) is often used for abstract or intangible things. Typical subjects are silence, a smell, a feeling, or a mood.
EXAMPLE
Ein angenehmer Duft von frisch gebackenem Kuchen breitete sich im Haus aus.
A pleasant smell of freshly baked cake spread through the house.
Compare with
breiten vs auslegen
to interpret / lay out / advance
'auslegen' and 'breiten' can both mean that something lies flat on a surface. The difference is in the purpose and the situation. 'auslegen' is used when you deliberately put something out so that others can see it, use it, or take it with them, or when you cover a surface with a material. 'breiten' describes the movement more strongly: you unfold or roll something out so that it covers more space. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with a surface. A practical tip: you 'legt Flyer oder Teppiche aus' (lay out flyers or carpets), but you 'breitet eine Decke oder ein Tuch aus' (spread out a blanket or cloth).
breiten
Zu Hause breitet Paul die Decke auf dem Boden aus.
At home, Paul spreads the blanket out on the floor.
auslegen
Im Wartezimmer legt die Praxis neue Informationsblätter aus.
In the waiting room, the medical practice puts out new information leaflets.
In real life
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