1.
to stretch, to extend
To become longer.
髪が伸びた。
My hair grew.
ゴムが伸びる。
The rubber stretches.
麺が伸びてしまった。
The noodles got soggy.
爪が伸びたから切らなきゃ。
My nails grew so I need to cut them.
夕方になると、木の影が長く伸びる。
In the evening, the shadows of the trees stretch out long.
2.
to grow, to develop
To increase in size or ability.
背が伸びた。
I grew taller.
成績が伸びた。
My grades improved.
会社が伸びている。
The company is growing.
日本語の能力が伸びた。
My Japanese ability improved.
毎日練習した結果、成績が大きく伸びた。
As a result of practicing every day, my grades improved significantly.
伸びる is an ichidan intransitive verb meaning to stretch, extend, or grow.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 自動詞 (intransitive)
- Pair: 伸ばす (transitive, to stretch something)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 髪が伸びる: hair grows
- 背が伸びる: to grow taller
- 売り上げが伸びる: sales increase
- 能力が伸びる: ability improves
- 麺が伸びる: noodles get soggy
KANJI DISTINCTION:
- 伸びる: physical stretching/growth
- 延びる: time extension (会議が延びる = meeting runs long)
RELATED WORDS:
- 伸び: growth, stretch (noun)
- 伸び伸び: freely, at ease