The Meaning of oyobu [及ぶ] In Japanese

及ぶ
およぶ
Romaji: oyobu N3

What does 及ぶ mean?

Translation and Meaning

to reach, to extend to, to amount to, to involve, to apply to

Definition

What does 及ぶ mean? It denotes the action of reaching or extending to a boundary, limit, or scope, and by extension the effect or involvement of something within that reach. It is used with particles such as に and まで to mark the extent, and is common in formal, written, or analytic contexts to describe the breadth of influence, coverage, or applicability.

Type

verb (動詞), godan (五段動詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • 範囲に及ぶ (han’i ni oyobu) to reach into a range or scope
  • 影響が及ぶ (eikyō ga oyobu) to have an influence or effect
  • 金額に及ぶ (kingaku ni oyobu) to amount to a sum

Etymology

kun’yomi and kanji-origin The word 及ぶ is a native Japanese verb formed from the kanji 及, with the kun reading oyobu; the pronunciation has remained stable since classical Japanese, reflecting the core sense of reaching or touching.

Origin

Old Japanese usage in classical literature and administrative texts, with the sense of extending to a boundary or scope; the concept appears across Heian and later periods in formal language.

Composition

及 stands for the idea of reaching or touching; when used as a verb with ぶ, the meaning becomes to extend to a boundary or scope.

Usage

Used in formal or written contexts to express extent, scope, and reach; often paired with に or まで to mark boundaries; less common in casual speech; for concrete actions or everyday talk, other verbs such as to reach or reach up to are often preferred.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic Imagine a line extending from you to the edge of a boundary; you can say you reach up to that edge, which helps recall 及ぶ’s sense of reach and scope.

Variations

  • 到達する (toutatsu suru) – to reach, more concrete
  • 広がる (hirogaru) – to extend or spread
  • 関連語: 及ぼす (oyobosu) – to exert, cause
  • 金額・範囲に及ぶ generally expresses extent; 及ばない (oyobanai) – not reach

Example Phrases

  • 新しい ルール は 私たちの 生活 にも 及ぶ 影響 だ。
    atarashii ruuru wa watashitachi no seikatsu ni mo oyobu eikyō da.
    The new rule also affects our daily life.
    Lista:
    • 新しい (atarashii) – new
    • ルール (ruuru) – rule
    • は (wa) – topic marker
    • 私たちの (watashitachi no) – our
    • 生活 (seikatsu) – daily life
    • にも (ni mo) – also
    • 及ぶ (oyobu) – reach/extend to
    • 影響 (eikyō) – influence
    • だ (da) – is
    Aqui, 「及ぶ」 significa ‘to extend to’ e é usado com に para indicar o alvo; 「生活にも及ぶ」 acrescenta o nuance de ‘também’.
及ぶ