Meaning

Primary

To Be Extended

Alternatives

To Be Delayed, To Be Prolonged

Word Type

intransitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb.

This is an intransitive verb, meaning that it happens on its own, and we're not talking about what makes it happen. So this verb means to be extended, to be delayed, or to be prolonged. If you know the word ビル, you can think about how building work is always prolonged or delayed, to help you remember that this is intransitive. We never know why it's delayed, it just happens all by itself!

Reading

のびる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word has okurigana (hiragana attached to the kanji) you know that it's probably going to be the kun'yomi reading.

Lucky for you, the kanji readings for transitive and intransitive verbs are almost always the same. Once you learn one, you know them both! This reading is the same as 延ばす.

Context

Context Sentences

工事のせいでいつものランニングのコースが延びた。

Because of construction work, my usual running route has been extended.

東京オリンピックは翌年に延びたがキャンセルになるかもしれない。

The Tokyo Olympics were delayed to the following year, but they might get canceled.

上司のせいで会議が延びるのが嫌いです。

I hate it when meetings are prolonged because of my boss.

Kanji Composition