width

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 幅 denotes width or range; its kun-readings include はば.
• Basic usage: 幅(はば) means width or range, while 大幅(おおはば) conveys a large extent.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Physical width and the extent of change
  • 壁の幅 means the width of a wall, while 仕事の幅 means the range of work one can do. 幅 applies to a range of activities as well as measurable width.
  • 大幅に削減した means reduced substantially. In 大幅に延期された, the opening date has been pushed back considerably, expressing the large extent of the change.