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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
sich breiten
to spread
To expand or spread. Often used for immaterial things such as silence, a feeling, or a smell.
EXAMPLE
Nach der überraschenden Nachricht breitete sich Schweigen im Raum aus.
After the surprising news, silence spread through the room.
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.
In real life
Loading video examples...