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The act of actively working to increase the number and variety of one's social connections.
転職を機に、交友関係を広げる努力を始めた。
After changing jobs, I started making an effort to expand my social circle.
彼は交友関係を広げるために、毎週サークルに参加している。
He attends a club every week to expand his social circle.
Often used in contexts like job hunting, personal growth, or social integration where building a network is beneficial.
Avoid using 広げる with abstract nouns like 交友関係 in contexts where it implies physical expansion (e.g., not for 'widening a gap'). Always use it with intentional effort in social contexts.
Use this phrase when referring to deliberate actions to increase social connections, such as attending events, joining clubs, or networking. It does not describe organic social growth.
The phrase combines three kanji: 交友 (kōyū, 'friendship/association'), 関係 (kankei, 'relationship'), 広げる (hirogeru, 'to expand'). The structure follows a common Japanese pattern of noun + を + verb phrase (e.g., 時間を作る 'to make time').
This phrase is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts. It implies intentional effort rather than passive socializing. The verb 広げる (hirogeru) can also be replaced with 広める (hiromeru) in some contexts, though 広げる is more natural here.