Translation and Meaning of: 伸ばす - nobasu

On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 伸ばす (nobasu) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.

Romaji: nobasu

Kana: のばす

Type: verb

L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n2

伸ばす

Translation / Meaning: prolong yourself; extend; to reach; to postpone; extend; extend; Grow (beard)

Meaning in English: to lengthen;to stretch;to reach out;to postpone;to prolong;to extend;to grow (beard)

Definition: To prolong.

Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases

Explanation and Etymology - (伸ばす) nobasu

The Japanese word 「伸ばす」 (nobasu) is a verb that has several meanings related to extending or lengthening something. At its core, this word is often used to describe the action of increasing the length of an object or part of the body, such as in the case of "extending the arms" or "lengthening the legs." Additionally, 「伸ばす」 can be used in more abstract contexts, such as in the sense of extending a deadline or developing skills and talents.

Etymologically, 「伸ばす」 is composed of the kanji 「伸」 (shin), which by itself means "to extend" or "to elongate," and the verbal hiragana 「ばす」 (basu), responsible for transforming the kanji into an active and transitive form of the verb. The origin of the kanji 「伸」 dates back to the concept of expansion and growth, often used in different contexts to denote the act of projecting beyond current limits. This aligns with the use of the radical 人 (ninben), which suggests a meaning related to human action.

"伸ばす" is also a versatile verb in Japanese, found in various everyday situations. It is used not only in physical contexts, such as the act of pulling or stretching something physically, but also in figurative situations. For example, Japanese people often use this expression to talk about "extending a deadline" (期限を伸ばす - kigen o nobasu) or "developing or enhancing skills" (能力を伸ばす - nouryoku o nobasu), which demonstrates the semantic flexibility of the word in different contexts.

For a non-native speaker, understanding the use of 「伸ばす」 can be enriching, as it reveals nuances of Japanese culture that values tailored growth, flexibility, and continuous improvement. In language learning, noticing the subtleties of words like 「伸ばす」 helps to better understand the way of thinking and expressing oneself in Japanese. Therefore, using it correctly not only improves communication but also deepens cultural and linguistic connections.

Verbal conjugation of 伸ばす

See below a small list of verb conjugations: 伸ばす (nobasu)

伸ばします - Polite form
伸ばしなさい - Imperative form
伸ばしますか - Interrogative form
伸ばしたい - Form of desire
伸ばそう - Volitive form
伸ばせる - Potential form
伸ばされる - Passive form
伸ばせば - Conditional form

Synonyms and similar words

延ばす (nobasu) - Extend, prolong, postpone
伸ばし (nobashi) - The act of extending, generally related to growth or stretching
伸べる (noberu) - Extend, put in an extended state, often used in physical contexts.
伸す (nosu) - Extend, the action of making something longer or broader.
伸びる (nobiru) - To grow, to stretch, especially in relation to natural growth or increase in size.