To Stretch Over Something
To Spread Out, To Swell, To Be Taut
intransitive verb, transitive verb, godan verb
Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means stretch, and the verb version means to stretch over something, to spread out, or to be taut, not to be confused with the type of stretching you do after a workout.
This word is both transitive and intransitive. When it follows を, it emphasizes the physical act of extending something over an area, like stretching a canvas over a frame, unfurling a sail on a ship, or roping off a crime scene. When following が, it expresses the resulting state of having been stretched or spread, like a bloated stomach, a swollen muscle, or a spider web.
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:
Imagine yourself trying to stretch your favorite toy figurine, seeing just how far you can stretch it. With every stretch, you start laughing uncontrollably, HA (は) HA HA HA HA HA. Seems a bit cruel. Are you okay?
キャンバスをフレームに張る方法を教わりました。
I was taught how to stretch a canvas over a frame.
バレーボールのネットを張ったのは誰ですか？
Who put up the volleyball net?
テントをもうちょっとピンと張りたいんですが、手伝ってくれませんか？
I'd like to stretch the tent more tightly. Could you help me?
久々にジョギングしたから、足がパンパンに張ってる。
I went jogging for the first time in a while, so my legs are swollen and tense.