伸ばします（のばします、nobashimasu）
- to extend

The Japanese verb 伸ばします (のばします) primarily means "to extend," "to stretch," "to lengthen," or "to develop." It implies an action that increases the size, duration, or capacity of something. The specific meaning depends on the context. 伸ばします can also refer to postponing or putting off something.

⚫︎髪を伸ばします。 Translation: I'm growing out my hair. ⚫︎手を伸ばして、リンゴを取った。 Translation: I reached out my hand and took the apple. ⚫︎締め切りを伸ばします。 Translation: I'll extend the deadline.

This verb is versatile and used in various situations. It can describe physical actions, such as stretching or extending an arm. It can also describe the act of increasing something, such as growing out hair or extending a deadline. When using 伸ばします, consider the object of the action to determine the most appropriate translation: what is being extended, stretched, or lengthened?

The verb 伸ばします is typically written in hiragana as のばします. The kanji form is 伸ばします. The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is します. The verb stem is 伸ば.

⚫︎ 広げる (ひろげる): to spread out, to expand ⚫︎ 延長する (えんちょうする): to extend, to prolong (more formal) ⚫︎ 伸ばす (のばす): This is the base form and is very similar in meaning. ⚫︎ 引き伸ばす (ひきのばす): to stretch (something) out (e.g., a photo)

⚫︎ 縮める (ちぢめる): to shorten, to shrink ⚫︎ 減らす (へらす): to reduce, to decrease ⚫︎ 止める (やめる): to stop, to cease

彼は腕を伸ばして、子供を抱きしめた。 ・Translation: He stretched out his arm and hugged the child. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates the physical act of extending the arm to embrace someone.

来週の会議を伸ばしますか？ ・Translation: Should we postpone next week's meeting? ・Explanation: This illustrates the verb being used to extend the timeframe of something.

The etymology is related to 延ばす (のばす), which has similar meanings like extending. It derives from the verb root, which suggests the meaning of extending or elongating something. The polite form “伸ばします” is formed by adding the auxiliary verb します to the verb stem 伸ば.