sich weiten
to widen
To become wider, larger, or more spacious. This often refers to openings, vessels, items of clothing, or pupils.
EXAMPLE
Seine Pupillen weiteten sich vor Schreck.
His pupils widened in fright.
weiten
to widen / broaden
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Meanings
weiten
to widen
To actively make something wider or more spacious, for example by stretching it.
EXAMPLE
Der Schuster kann die zu engen Schuhe etwas weiten.
The shoemaker can widen the shoes that are too tight a little.
den Blick weiten
to broaden one's view
To broaden one's horizons; to get to know new perspectives or gain new knowledge.
EXAMPLE
Ein Auslandssemester kann den Blick für andere Kulturen weiten.
A semester abroad can broaden your view of other cultures.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'weiten' (to widen) is derived from the adjective 'weit' (wide, spacious). It describes the process of becoming wide or actively making something wide.
EXAMPLE
Durch das viele Tragen haben sich die Schuhe etwas geweitet.
The shoes have widened a little from being worn so much.
Reflexive vs. transitive
This verb is often used reflexively ('sich weiten' — to widen) when something becomes wider on its own. But it can also be used transitively with an accusative object when someone actively makes something wider.
EXAMPLE
Bei Dunkelheit weiten sich die Pupillen automatisch.
In darkness, the pupils widen automatically.
Context for 'sich weiten'
The reflexive form 'sich weiten' (to widen) is often used in biological or medical contexts, for example with pupils or blood vessels. It also describes how a landscape or a space opens up.
EXAMPLE
Als sie aus dem Tunnel fuhr, weitete sich das Tal vor ihr.
As she drove out of the tunnel, the valley widened before her.
Typical objects
In the transitive form, 'weiten' (to widen) is often used in connection with clothing or shoes that are too tight. Typical objects are trousers, rings, or shoes.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss dieses Hemd am Kragen etwas weiten lassen.
I need to have this shirt widened a little at the collar.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'den Blick weiten' (to broaden one's view) is a fixed expression. It is used metaphorically and means to broaden one's horizons or become more open to new things.
EXAMPLE
Reisen hilft dabei, den eigenen Blick zu weiten.
Traveling helps broaden your own view.
Compare with
weiten vs erweitern
to expand
Erweitern can broaden one’s horizons or perspective through new content and experiences. In this meaning, Weiten is especially idiomatic with “den Blick” and emphasizes opening oneself up to new perspectives. Both words can work with new experiences, but “den Blick weiten” is the fixed expression.
weiten
Durch Reisen weitet Anna ihren Blick für andere Lebensweisen.
Traveling broadens Anna’s view of other ways of life.
erweitern
Durch Reisen erweitert Anna ihren Horizont.
Traveling broadens Anna’s horizons.
In real life
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