()

のび
noun
growth, stretch, extension
1. growth, increase
An increase in quantity, ability, or development over time.
売上(うりあげ)()びがいい。
Sales growth is strong.
成績(せいせき)()びが(いちじる)しい。
The improvement in grades is remarkable.
今年(ことし)輸出(ゆしゅつ)()びが(にぶ)くなっている。
Export growth has been slowing this year.
2. stretch, stretching
The act of stretching the body, or the quality of something being able to stretch.
(あさ)()びは気持(きも)ちがいい。
A morning stretch feels good.
(おお)きく()びをした。
I did a big stretch.
この生地(きじ)()びがいいので()やすい。
This fabric stretches well, so it's comfortable to wear.

The noun form of the verb ()びる (to grow, to stretch). Frequently used in business and academic contexts for growth metrics, and in everyday life for physical stretching.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ()びがいい — good growth / good stretch
  • ()びが(にぶ)い — sluggish growth
  • ()(なや)む — to plateau, to stagnate
  • ()(りつ) — growth rate
  • ()びをする — to stretch (one's body)
  • ()(ざか)り — at the peak of growth

USAGE:
Sense 1 is very common in news, business reports, and education. ()(なや)む is a compound verb meaning to hit a plateau. Sense 2 is used for body stretching and material elasticity.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 成長(せいちょう) — growth (broader, often for people or economies)
  • 増加(ぞうか) — increase (numerical, objective)