Japanese Conversation · Level 25
90 words
Japanese word
伸びる
Pronunciation
Romajinobiru
Meaning
- verbgrow
Example
髪が伸びます。kami ga no bi ma su
My hair is growing.
More examples
弟は去年より五センチ伸びました。otōto wa kyo nen yo ri go se n chi no bi ma shi ta
My younger brother has grown five centimeters since last year.
Core concept
Shows a length or size increasing over time as a result of its own growth, without emphasizing who or what makes it increase.
Common phrases
背が伸びるse ga no bi ru
grow taller
髪が伸びるkami ga no bi ru
hair grows
木が伸びるki ga no bi ru
a tree grows
Similar words
育つsodatsu: To grow and develop as a living thing.
生えるhaeru: To start growing from the surface of a living thing or from the ground.
Definition in Japanese
髪などが成長して、以前より長くなること。kami na do ga sei chō shi te i zen yo ri naga ku na ru ko to
Word origin
The native verb 伸びる (nobiru, "to grow longer") comes from older Japanese 伸ぶ (nobu), whose stem 伸び (nobi) appears in the modern form.
Usage tips
- The verb 伸びる (nobiru) applies naturally to hair, nails, and plants, allowing one everyday Japanese word to cover several common uses of English "grow."