Meaning and Usage
"延びる" (のびる) primarily means "to be prolonged" or "to stretch/extend." It is an intransitive verb often used when something lengthens in time or space without direct action by the speaker.
Common Contexts
- Time extension: meetings, deadlines, schedules.
- Physical growth or lengthening: hair, plants, shadows.
Collocations and Patterns
- 会議が延びる (meeting is prolonged)
- 締め切りが延びる (deadline is extended)
- 髪が延びる (hair grows longer)
Register and Nuance
"延びる" is neutral and common in both casual and formal contexts. It often implies an unplanned or natural extension rather than a deliberate one.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "延びる" with "伸びる" which also reads as のびる and means "to stretch" or "to grow." While they overlap, "延びる" often relates to time or deadlines, and "伸びる" more to physical length or growth. Context will guide the correct choice.