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B1 verb 10 min de lecture

延びる

To extend (intransitive); to be postponed; to grow.

nobiru
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延びる en 30 secondes

  • 延びる (nobiru) means to extend, grow, or be postponed.
  • It's an intransitive verb, focusing on the subject's own change.
  • Used for physical growth, spatial extension, and temporal delays.
  • Distinguish from 伸ばす (nobasu), which is transitive.
The Japanese verb '延びる' (nobiru) is a versatile word that translates to 'to extend', 'to grow', or 'to be postponed'. It's an intransitive verb, meaning it describes a change in the subject itself rather than an action performed on an object. You'll encounter '延びる' in many everyday situations. For instance, when talking about physical growth, such as a child getting taller or a plant growing in a garden, '延びる' is the perfect word. It's also used for things that increase in length or size, like a road that extends further or a queue that gets longer. In a more abstract sense, it can refer to an increase in time, meaning something is delayed or postponed. This is common in scheduling events, deadlines, or appointments. The nuance lies in the subject's own tendency to lengthen, expand, or shift later in time without direct external force causing it in that specific moment of description.
Physical Growth
This is perhaps the most common usage. When you see a plant getting taller or a child growing, you can say it is 延びる.
Extension in Space
This refers to things getting longer or spreading out. For example, a road might 延びる into the distance, or a rumor might 延びる.
Postponement/Delay
When an event or deadline is moved to a later date, it 延びる. This is a very practical use of the word.
Increase in Quantity/Quality
Sometimes, '延びる' can refer to an increase in abstract things like sales, reputation, or even skills. For example, 'sales will extend' or 'my understanding has extended'.

子供の身長が毎年よく延びる。

The child's height grows well every year.
Using '延びる' (nobiru) correctly involves understanding its intransitive nature and the context of the sentence. It's often paired with particles like が (ga) to mark the subject that is extending or being postponed. When referring to postponement, common phrases include 日程が延びる (nittei ga nobiru - the schedule is postponed) or 締め切りが延びる (shimekiri ga nobiru - the deadline is extended). For physical growth, you might hear 身長が延びる (shinchou ga nobiru - height grows) or 髪が延びる (kami ga nobiru - hair grows). The verb can be conjugated into various forms, such as the polite ます (masu) form (延びます - nobimasu), the past tense (延びた - nobitā), or the potential form (延びられる - nobirareru), although the potential form is less common. Consider the subject of the sentence; if it's something that inherently grows, extends, or is subject to delay, '延びる' is likely the appropriate verb. For example, 'The popularity of the new product is extending' would use '延びる' to describe the increase in popularity. Similarly, 'The train line extends to the next town' uses '延びる' for spatial extension. Remember that '延びる' focuses on the subject's own change, not an action performed by someone else on the subject. This distinction is crucial when comparing it to transitive verbs like '伸ばす' (nobasu).
Subject + が + 延びる
This is the most fundamental structure. The noun marked by 'ga' is the entity that is extending, growing, or being postponed.
Referring to Time/Schedule
When an event is delayed, the subject is often a noun related to time or schedule, like 締め切り (deadline), 予定 (plan/schedule), or 公演 (performance).
Referring to Physical Growth
For biological growth, the subject is typically a living thing or a part of it, like 子供 (child), 身長 (height), or 髪 (hair).
Referring to Spatial Extension
For things extending in space, subjects can include 道 (road), 線路 (railway line), or 噂 (rumor).

会議の開始時間が３０分延びるようだ。

It seems the meeting start time will be extended by 30 minutes.
You'll hear '延びる' (nobiru) frequently in various real-life scenarios. In educational settings, teachers might announce that a test date has been postponed: "試験日が延び(の)ます" (Shikenbi ga nobi masu - The test date will be postponed). Parents often talk about their children's growth: "うちの子はどんどん延び(の)ている" (Uchi no ko wa dondon nobi te iru - My child is growing taller rapidly). In the workplace, project managers might inform their team about a deadline extension: "プロジェクトの締め切りが延び(の)ました" (Purojekuto no shimekiri ga nobi mashita - The project deadline has been extended). News reports might cover how a road construction project has taken longer than expected: "工事期間が延び(の)ている" (Kouji kikan ga nobi te iru - The construction period is being extended). Even in casual conversations about personal appearance, someone might say, "髪が延び(の)たから、そろそろ切りたい" (Kami ga nobi ta kara, sorosoro kiritai - My hair has grown long, so I want to cut it soon). In business contexts, discussions about sales figures might involve: "今年の売上は去年に延び(の)るだろう" (Kotoshi no uriage wa kyonen ni nobiru darou - This year's sales are expected to extend beyond last year's). The word is ubiquitous, appearing in announcements, personal anecdotes, and professional updates.
School Announcements
Used for postponing exams, school events, or submission deadlines. Example: "文化祭の準備期間が延び(の)ました。" (Bunkasai no junbi kikan ga nobi mashita.)
Family Conversations
Commonly used when discussing children's growth, plant growth, or even hair length. Example: "子供の身長が延び(の)て、もう服が小さくなってきた。" (Kodomo no shinchou ga nobi te, mou fuku ga chiisaku natte kita.)
Workplace Updates
Essential for communicating delays in projects, deadlines, or meetings. Example: "このプロジェクトは、予期せぬ問題で納期が延び(の)る可能性があります。" (Kono purojekuto wa, yoki senu mondai de nouki ga nobiru kanousei ga arimasu.)
News and Public Announcements
Used in reports about infrastructure, events, or any situation involving delays or extensions. Example: "大雨の影響で、交通機関の運行に遅延が延び(の)ています。" (Oame no eikyou de, koutsuu kikan no unkou ni chien ga nobi te imasu.)

夏休みの宿題の提出期限が延び(の)た。

The deadline for summer homework has been extended.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with '延びる' (nobiru) is confusing it with its transitive counterpart, '伸ばす' (nobasu). '延びる' is intransitive, meaning the subject itself undergoes the change (e.g., the plant grows), while '伸ばす' is transitive, meaning the subject actively causes something else to extend or grow (e.g., you stretch your arm). For example, saying "私が髪を延びる(の)た" (Watashi ga kami o nobiru - I grew my hair) is incorrect. The correct way to say 'I grew my hair' would involve a different structure or using '伸ばす' in a different context if you were actively trying to make it grow longer through specific actions, though typically hair growth is seen as an intransitive process. Another common error is using '延びる' when a different verb for increase is more appropriate. For instance, if sales are increasing significantly due to a successful campaign, while '売上が延び(の)る' (uriage ga nobiru - sales extend/increase) can be used, sometimes verbs like '増加する' (zouka suru - to increase) or '増える' (fueru - to increase) might be more precise depending on the nuance. Also, learners might incorrectly use '延びる' for things that are 'made longer' by an external force. For example, you don't '延びる' a shelf; you '伸ばす' (nobasu) it or build a longer one. The intransitive nature is paramount: the subject is growing or extending on its own. Finally, misconjugation or incorrect particle usage can lead to errors. Always ensure the subject is marked correctly, usually with 'が' (ga), and that the verb is in the appropriate tense and politeness level.
Confusing with 伸ばす (nobasu)
The most common mistake is using '延びる' (intransitive) when '伸ばす' (transitive) is needed, or vice versa. '延びる' describes the subject's own growth or extension, while '伸ばす' describes an action of extending something else.
Incorrect Subject Marking
While 'が' (ga) is typical, sometimes learners might use 'を' (o) incorrectly, treating '延びる' as transitive.
Using for Active Extension
Applying '延びる' to situations where something is actively being made longer by an external agent, rather than growing or extending on its own.
Overgeneralization of 'Increase'
Using '延びる' for any kind of increase when more specific verbs like '増える' (fueru) or '増加する' (zouka suru) might be more precise.

間違った例：私は髪(かみ)を延び(の)た。

Incorrect Example: I grew my hair (literally: I hair extended).
While '延びる' (nobiru) is a common and useful verb, several other Japanese words share similar meanings or can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance. The most important distinction is with '伸ばす' (nobasu), the transitive counterpart. '伸ばす' means to extend, stretch, or grow something actively. For example, you '伸ばす' your arm, or you '伸ばす' a piece of dough. In contrast, '延びる' is intransitive: your arm '延びる', and the dough might '延びる' if left to rest. When talking about an increase in quantity or number, '増える' (fueru - to increase) or '増加する' (zouka suru - to increase) are often more appropriate than '延びる'. For instance, 'the number of students increased' would more naturally be '生徒数が増えた' (seitosuu ga fueta) rather than '生徒数が延びた'. For abstract growth in skill or knowledge, '向上する' (koujou suru - to improve) or '上達する' (joutatsu suru - to improve/get better) might be better choices than '延びる'. However, '延びる' can sometimes be used for abstract growth, like '成績が延びる' (seiseki ga nobiru - grades improve), though '向上する' is also common. In the context of postponement, '遅れる' (okureru - to be delayed) can sometimes be used, but '延びる' specifically implies a shift to a later date rather than just a general delay. For physical stretching, '伸びる' is used, but for actively stretching oneself, 'ストレッチする' (sutorecchi suru - to stretch) or '体を伸ばす' (karada o nobasu) might be used. The choice often hinges on whether the subject is undergoing the change itself or is the agent of the change.
伸ばす (nobasu)
Transitive verb meaning 'to extend, stretch, grow something'. Use when you actively make something longer or bigger. Example: 彼は腕を伸(の)ばした。(Kare wa ude o nobashita. - He stretched his arm.)
増える (fueru) / 増加する (zouka suru)
Intransitive verbs meaning 'to increase' in quantity or number. Use when referring to a rise in count. Example: 登録者数が増(ふ)えた。(Tourokusha-suu ga fueta. - The number of registrants increased.)
向上する (koujou suru) / 上達する (joutatsu suru)
Verbs meaning 'to improve' or 'to get better', often used for skills, performance, or quality. Example: 彼の日本語は上達(じょうたつ)した。(Kare no Nihongo wa joutatsu shita. - His Japanese has improved.)
遅れる (okureru)
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be delayed'. While sometimes interchangeable with '延びる' for postponements, '延びる' specifically implies a shift to a later date, whereas '遅れる' can mean simply being late.

This is a comparison table of similar words:

WordMeaningUsage ExampleDifference from 延びる
伸ばす (nobasu)To extend (transitive)電話線伸(の)ばした。 (Denwasen nobashita. - Stretched the phone cord.)Requires an object; active action.
増える (fueru)To increase (quantity)会員が増(ふ)えた。 (Kaiin ga fueta. - The number of members increased.)Focuses on number/quantity, not length/duration.
向上する (koujou suru)To improve (quality/skill)技術が向上(こうじょう)した。 (Gijutsu ga koujou shita. - The technology improved.)Refers to improvement in quality or skill, not physical extension.