伸びる・延びる|のびるnobiru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
伸びる伸びる is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners; use it for the meanings covered by this entry.
延びる延びる is a less common written form of the same word, so learners will generally encounter and use 伸びる more often.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto stretch; to extend; to lengthen; to grow (of hair, height, grass, etc.)
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto straighten out; to be flattened; to become smooth
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto spread (of paint, cream, etc.)
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto stretch out (e.g. of a hand); to extend
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto lose elasticity; to become slack; to become soggy (e.g. of noodles)
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto make progress; to develop; to expand; to increase; to improve
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto be exhausted; to get groggy; to be stunned (by a blow); to pass out; to collapse
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto be prolonged (of a meeting, life span, etc.); to be extended (e.g. of a deadline); to lengthen (e.g. of the days)
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto be postponed; to be delayed; to be put off
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto gain traction (of an online post, video, etc.); to get views; to perform well
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 伸びる（のびる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 伸びます（のびます） |
| Negative (nai) | 伸びない（のびない） |
| polite (masen) | 伸びません（のびません） |
| classical zu / nu | 伸びず・伸びぬ（のびず・のびぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 伸びた（のびた） |
| polite (mashita) | 伸びました（のびました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 伸びなかった（のびなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 伸びませんでした（のびませんでした） |
| Te form | 伸びて（のびて） |
| Potential | 伸びられる（のびられる） |
| Passive | 伸びられる（のびられる） |
| Causative | 伸びさせる（のびさせる） |
| Causative passive | 伸びさせられる（のびさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 伸びれば（のびれば） |
| tara | 伸びたら（のびたら） |
| Volitional | 伸びよう（のびよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 伸びましょう（のびましょう） |
| Imperative | 伸びろ（のびろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
髪が伸びる
髪を伸ばす
伸びる describes something lengthening on its own (e.g., 髪が伸びる 'hair grows'), while 伸ばす indicates that someone deliberately causes something to lengthen (e.g., 髪を伸ばす 'let one's hair grow out').
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym伸長しんちょうWrittenWritten/formal prose for growth in length or reach, as in 「業績の伸長」; 「伸びる」 is the everyday verb.
- Synonym延長えんちょうNeutralSino-Japanese noun for lengthening a distance or extending a deadline or term, as in 「会期延長」; 「伸びる」 is intransitive.
- SynonymアップCasualLoanword, colloquial: a rise or boost, as in 「成績アップ」; close to 「伸びる」 in the sense of increasing.
- Synonym拡大かくだいNeutralEnlargement in scope or scale, tending toward written style; 「伸びる」 stresses growth in length or figures.
- Synonym拡張かくちょうNeutralExtending range, scale, or functions, as in 「道路拡張」 or 「血管が拡張する」; works both transitively and intransitively; 「伸びる」 stresses lengthening.
- Synonym増すますNeutralIncrease in quantity or degree; 「伸びる」 stresses length or ability stretching forward.
- Synonym伸展しんてんWrittenRare written term for the spread or expansion of influence and scale; 「伸びる」 is the everyday verb and also covers concrete length.
- SynonymのすCasualColloquial: to stretch out, but also to build one's influence or push further on, as in 「隣町まで伸す」.
- Synonym伸び上がるのびあがるNeutralLimited to a bodily action: stretching one's body upward to reach something high; 「伸びる」 is far more versatile.
- Related広がるひろがるNeutralSpreading out over an area or range in all directions, as in 「噂が広がる」; 「伸びる」 focuses on increase in length.
- Related展開てんかいNeutralUnfolding or spreading something out, or how a situation develops; 「伸びる」 centers on growth in length or quantity.
- Related膨張ぼうちょうNeutralExpansion in volume or scale, as in 「熱膨張」 or 「宇宙の膨張」; 「伸びる」 centers on growth in length.
- Related膨れるふくれるNeutralBulging or swelling out, and also sulking with a puffed-up face; 「伸びる」 is getting longer, not puffing up.
- Related膨らむふくらむNeutralSwelling up round like a balloon, also figuratively for dreams inflating; 「伸びる」 extends forward or lengthwise.
- Related成長せいちょうNeutralGrowth of living things or the economy; 「伸びる」 can cover gains in height or results.
- Related発展はってんNeutralMore abstract development of a business or society; 「伸びる」 can refer to concrete gains in performance.
- Related発達はったつNeutralGradual development toward maturity of mind, body, or skill; 「伸びる」 stresses growth in length or quantity.
- Related育つそだつNeutralFor living things growing up and people maturing; 「伸びる」 stresses length or ability stretching.
- Related発育はついくWrittenWritten term for physical growth, living things only; 「伸びる」 can describe height or hair getting longer.
- Related続くつづくNeutralContinuing or running on without a break, as a road stretching ahead; close to 「伸びる」 in the sense of extending.
- Related張るはるNeutralStretching or spreading taut, as roots spreading or ice forming; 「伸びる」 stresses becoming longer.
- Related増進ぞうしんWrittenFormal prose for boosting stamina, appetite, and the like, as in 「食欲増進」; 「伸びる」 is more colloquial.
- Related伸ばすのばすNeutralThe transitive counterpart: to lengthen something, grow hair long, or improve one's ability; 「伸びる」 is intransitive.
- Related引き伸ばすひきのばすNeutralTransitive: to stretch out, enlarge photos, or drag out time; 「伸びる」 is growing longer naturally.
- Related膨れ上がるふくれあがるNeutralSwelling up or ballooning in quantity, as in 「予算が膨れ上がる」, with a hint of excess; 「伸びる」 is neutral.
- Related延べるのべるWrittenArchaic written verb for laying out a futon or postponing; rare. 「伸びる」 is intransitive.
- Antonym縮むちぢむNeutralAntonym: to shrink or contract, as clothes shrinking in the wash; the opposite of 「伸びる」.
Use 「伸びる」 for things getting longer, people getting taller, or results improving; for the transitive action use 「伸ばす」. For extending a deadline or term pick 「延長」; for spread in area or scale, 「広がる」 or 「拡大」; for living things growing up, 「育つ」 or 「成長」. The other words here are narrower, more formal, or colloquial alternatives.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
