weitläufig
spacious
Extending over a large area; very roomy or expansive.
EXAMPLE
Die Wohnung war überraschend hell und weitläufig.
The apartment was surprisingly bright and spacious.
weitläufig
spacious / distant / long-winded
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Meanings
weitläufig
distant
Referring to a family relationship: not close, but separated by several degrees.
EXAMPLE
Er ist nur ein weitläufiger Verwandter von mir, den ich kaum kenne.
He is only a distant relative of mine, whom I barely know.
weitläufig
long-winded
Very detailed, cumbersome, or digressive.
EXAMPLE
Nach einer weitläufigen Einleitung kam er endlich zum Punkt.
After a long-winded introduction, he finally got to the point.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of 'weit' (wide/far) and '-läufig' (from 'laufen', to run/walk). The basic idea is something that extends or 'runs' far—whether it is a space, a family line, or a story.
EXAMPLE
Das Schloss ist von einem weitläufigen Park umgeben.
The castle is surrounded by a spacious park.
Meaning in context
The meaning of 'weitläufig' (spacious/distant/long-winded) depends strongly on the noun. With places, it means 'spacious'; with people, 'distantly related'; and with language or texts, 'detailed' or 'long-winded'.
EXAMPLE
Die Hotelanlage ist sehr weitläufig.
The hotel complex is very spacious.
Typical collocations
In its spatial meaning, 'weitläufig' (spacious) describes large, open areas. Typical nouns are 'Park' (park), 'Garten' (garden), 'Anwesen' (estate), 'Gelände' (grounds/site), or 'Flur' (hallway/corridor).
EXAMPLE
Das weitläufige Gelände des Festivals war schwer zu überblicken.
The spacious festival grounds were hard to take in.
Fixed combination
This meaning is almost always used in the fixed combination 'weitläufig verwandt sein' (to be distantly related) to express a family relationship that is not close.
EXAMPLE
Wir sind nur weitläufig miteinander verwandt und treffen uns selten.
We are only distantly related and rarely meet.
Compare with
weitläufig vs ausführlich
detailed
Both words can describe a very long presentation. “Ausführlich” emphasizes a precise and helpful treatment containing many details, while “weitläufig” can also suggest that the presentation is cumbersome or digressive. “Ausführlich” is more suitable for a thorough explanation, while “weitläufig” is more suitable for a long presentation that takes a lot of detours.
weitläufig
Die Kursleiterin erklärte die Aufgabe weitläufig und kam erst spät zum wichtigsten Punkt.
The instructor gave a long-winded explanation of the task and did not get to the main point until late.
ausführlich
Die Kursleiterin erklärte die Aufgabe ausführlich und beantwortete alle Fragen.
The instructor explained the task in detail and answered all the questions.
In real life
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