延 — Extend, Postpone, Prolong

Meaning

The kanji 延 (EN, のびる, のばす) conveys meanings like 'extend,' 'postpone,' 'prolong,' 'stretch,' or 'lengthen.' It describes a state or action where something becomes longer in time or space, or spreads out. This versatile kanji is fundamental for expressing various concepts related to duration, distance, and delay in Japanese.

The origin of 延 combines phonetic and semantic components. The radical 廴 (えんにょう - enn'you), on the left side, is known as the 'long stride' or 'stretch' radical. This component inherently suggests movement over a distance or an act of extending. The right side, originally 廷, denoted a court or an open space. In the context of 延, it likely served as a phonetic component while subtly reinforcing the idea of a 'long' or 'spread out' area. Over time, the meaning converged to focus on lengthening or postponing.

Visually, the radical 廴, with its extended stroke, strongly suggests 'stretching' or 'prolonging.' Picture a long path or an extended gesture when you see this component. The kanji 延 has 6 strokes and is taught in the 6th grade of Japanese elementary schools, making it a common and foundational character for these concepts.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary on'yomi for 延 is エン (EN). This reading often appears in compound words, especially those with more formal or abstract meanings related to extension, delay, or duration.

• 延長えんちょう (enchou) — extension, prolongation. Use this when extending a period of time, a physical object's length, or an event's duration. For example, a meeting's extension or an athletic game going into extra time.

• 会議かいぎの延長えんちょう (kaigi no enchou) — extension of a meeting

• 路線ろせんの延長えんちょう (rosen no enchou) — extension of a route/line

• 延期えんき (enki) — postponement, deferment. This term specifically refers to putting off an event or deadline to a later date.

• 試合しあいの延期えんき (shiai no enki) — postponement of a game

• 出発しゅっぱつの延期えんき (shuppatsu no enki) — postponement of departure

• 遅延ちえん (chien) — delay, retardation. Often used for transportation delays or delays in processes, such as a train delay or a payment delay.

• 電車でんしゃの遅延ちえん (densha no chien) — train delay

• 支払しはらいの遅延ちえん (shiharai no chien) — delay in payment

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

Kun'yomi readings are used for native Japanese words, primarily verbs, and describe the action of extending or stretching in a more direct, often physical sense.

• の-びる (延びるのびる) — to be extended, to grow (tall), to stretch out (intransitive verb). This refers to something lengthening or prolonging on its own, without direct external action.

• 髪かみが延のびるびる (kami ga nobiru) — hair grows long

• 計画けいかくが延のびるびる (keikaku ga nobiru) — the plan is extended/delayed

• の-ばす (延のばすばす) — to extend, to stretch, to postpone (transitive verb). This refers to actively making something longer or deferring it.</p

• 腕うでを延のばすばす (ude o nobasu) — to stretch one's arm

• 宿題しゅくだいを延のばすばす (shukudai o nobasu) — to postpone homework

• の-べる (延のべるべる) — to stretch out, to spread out, to postpone (a more formal or literary transitive verb than のばす, often used for flat objects or metaphorical spreading).</p

• 敷物しきものを延のべるべる (shikimono o noberu) — to spread out a mat

• 筆ふでを延のべるべる (fude o noberu) — to continue writing (a literary expression)

• の-び (延のびび) — growth, stretch, extension, slack (noun). This noun refers to the state or result of something extending or stretching.

• 麺めんの延のびび (men no nobi) — noodles becoming soggy/losing texture (due to over-extension or prolonged cooking)

• 運動うんどうの後あとの延のびび (undou no ato no nobi) — stretching after exercise

Common Words & Compounds

Here are some common words and compounds using 延, grouped by related meaning:

Time & Duration Related

• 延期えんき (enki) — postponement. The event was postponed due to bad weather.
• 延長えんちょう (enchou) — extension, prolongation. We requested an extension for the deadline.
• 遅延ちえん (chien) — delay. The train experienced a significant delay.
• 延滞えんたい (entai) — overdue, delay in payment/return. He incurred a late fee for the overdue library book.
• 延命えんめい (enmei) — prolongation of life. Medical treatment for life prolongation.

Physical & Spatial Extension Related

• 延伸えんしん (enshin) — extension, elongation. The railway line was extended to the new station.
• 延焼えんしょう (enshou) — spread of fire. The fire spread to the neighboring building.
• 延べのべ (nobe) — total, gross (often for accumulated numbers or length). For example, 延のべ人数にんずう (nobe ninzuu - total cumulative number of people). The total number of participants over several days was 1000 people.
• 伸延しんえん (shin'en) — extension, elongation (often used in a technical context like metalworking).

Verbal & Action Related

• 延のばすばす (nobasu) — to extend, stretch (transitive). He stretched his back.
• 延のびるびる (nobiru) — to be extended, grow (intransitive). The meeting was extended by an hour.
• 延のべるべる (noberu) — to stretch out, spread out (formal transitive). To spread out a map.

Example Sentences

Memory Tip

To remember 延, focus on its components. The radical on the left, 廴 (えんにょう - enn'you), is often called the 'long stride' or 'stretch' radical. You can visualize it as a person taking a long, extending step. The right side, 廷, can represent a fixed point or a standing figure.

So, imagine taking a long, stretching stride from a fixed point, thereby extending your reach or path. Alternatively, think of it as extending the time you stand in a particular place, leading to the meaning of postponing or prolonging. The core idea is a long, stretching movement or a prolonged duration.