Meaning
伸 means to stretch, extend, or grow outward. Picture someone reaching both arms wide, a seedling pushing toward sunlight, or a rubber band pulled taut — all of that physical sense lives in this single character.
The structure tells the story. On the left is 亻, a simplified form of 人 ("person"). On the right is 申, which historically depicted lightning zigzagging and stretching across the sky — long, reaching, unstoppable. Together: a person stretching like a bolt of lightning.
Practically, 伸 covers both the physical (stretching after sleep, growing hair, gaining height) and the abstract (business expansion, skill development, organizational growth). It belongs equally to casual conversation and formal business Japanese.
Seven strokes make it compact and quick to write. A Jōyō kanji assigned at grade 8 (middle school level), it appears on the JLPT N2 exam. Radical: 亻 (person), on the left.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
シン (shin) is the on'yomi, drawn from classical Chinese. It appears in compound words (熟語, jukugo) — especially in formal, written, or business contexts.
- 伸長 (shinchō) — growth, elongation (height growth or organizational expansion)
- 伸縮 (shinshuku) — expansion and contraction; elasticity (physics, fabrics, or flexible schedules)
- 伸展 (shinten) — development, expansion, spreading out (business and spatial contexts)
- 追伸 (tsuishin) — postscript (P.S. in a letter); literally "chasing and extending" a message
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Three kun'yomi forms exist — pay close attention to the transitive/intransitive split, which trips up many learners.
- の(びる) — nobiru: intransitive — the subject stretches on its own. 背が伸びた (se ga nobita) — "I grew taller."
- の(ばす) — nobasu: transitive — you are doing the stretching. 髪を伸ばす (kami wo nobasu) — "to grow one's hair out."
- の(べる) — noberu: transitive, somewhat literary or formal. 手を伸べる (te wo noberu) — "to extend one's hand (to help)."
Common Words & Compounds
Twelve key words, grouped by theme.
Physical Stretching & Growth
- 伸び (nobi) — a stretch; growth in height or size (also used as a suffix)
- 背伸び (senobi) — standing on tiptoe; stretching to reach something; pushing beyond one's limits
- 手足を伸ばす (te ashi wo nobasu) — to stretch one's arms and legs; to relax completely
- 伸び率 (nobiritsu) — growth rate (common in economics and business reports)
Abstract Growth & Development
- 伸長 (shinchō) — growth; development of a person or organization
- 伸展 (shinten) — expansion; development in scope
- 能力を伸ばす (nōryoku wo nobasu) — to develop one's abilities; to push one's skills further
Elasticity & Flexibility
- 伸縮 (shinshuku) — expansion and contraction; elasticity
- 伸縮性 (shinshukusei) — elasticity; stretchiness (fabric or materials)
Communication & Letters
- 追伸 (tsuishin) — P.S.; a message "extended" after the main text
Everyday Expressions
- のびのび (nobinobi) — freely; in a relaxed, unrestrained way (reduplication of のび)
- 伸るか反るか (noru ka soru ka) — all or nothing; a do-or-die moment
Example Sentences
子どもは夏の間に５センチも背が伸びた。
Kodomo wa natsu no aida ni go senchi mo se ga nobita.
The child grew 5 centimeters over the summer.
毎朝、起きたら体を伸ばすのが習慣です。
Maiasa, okitara karada wo nobasu no ga shūkan desu.
Every morning, stretching is the first thing I do when I wake up.
髪を肩まで伸ばしています。
Kami wo kata made nobashite imasu.
I'm growing my hair out to my shoulders.
この生地は伸縮性があるので動きやすいです。
Kono kiji wa shinshukusei ga aru node ugokiyasui desu.
This fabric stretches, so it moves with you.
先生は困っている学生に手を伸べた。
Sensei wa komatte iru gakusei ni te wo nobeta.
The teacher reached out a hand to the struggling student.
この会社は海外へのビジネス伸展を目指している。
Kono kaisha wa kaigai e no bijinesu shinten wo mezashite iru.
The company is pushing for overseas expansion.
子どもたちがのびのびと育てる環境を作りたい。
Kodomotachi ga nobinobi to sodateru kankyō wo tsukuritai.
I want to build an environment where kids can grow up free and unhurried.
追伸：明日の会議の時間が変わりました。
Tsuishin: ashita no kaigi no jikan ga kawarimashita.
P.S.: The time for tomorrow's meeting has changed.
英語の能力を伸ばすために毎日練習している。
Eigo no nōryoku wo nobasu tame ni mainichi renshū shite iru.
I practice every day to push my English further.
棚の上のものを取ろうと背伸びをした。
Tana no ue no mono wo torou to senobi wo shita.
I stood on my tiptoes to reach something on the top shelf.
Memory Tip
Recall the structure: 亻 (person) on the left, 申 (lightning zigzagging across the sky) on the right. A person stretching like lightning — arms overhead, back arched, reaching as far as possible. That image is 伸.
For the reading: シン (shin) sounds like the English word "shin" — the part of your leg that juts forward when you take a big step. Stretch your shin, extend your reach. Sound and meaning, locked together.