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道Nihongo Path

伸びる

のびる

to grow, stretch

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. 背がずいぶん伸びましたね。

    せがずいぶんのびましたね。

    You have grown a lot taller.

  2. 爪が伸びたので、切ります。

    つめがのびたので、きります。

    My nails have grown, so I'll cut them.

  3. ラーメンが伸びてしまう前に食べてください。

    らーめんがのびてしまうまえにたべてください。

    Please eat the ramen before the noodles go soggy.

Common patterns

背が伸びる
to get taller
髪が伸びる
for hair to grow
成績が伸びる
for grades to improve

Memory tip

伸びる is intransitive: things get longer or better on their own, so they take が. Note the food usage — 伸びたラーメン is noodles gone soft and soggy, not stretched.

Kanji in this word

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What does 伸びる mean?