Translation guide
The English phrase "stretch out" can refer to physically extending a body part, reaching for something, making something longer or last longer, or lying down to relax. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To straighten or extend an arm, leg, or other body part away from the body.
Transitive verb meaning to stretch out or extend something (e.g., a limb). Use when you deliberately extend a body part.
I stretched out my arm and took the book from the shelf.
I stretched out my legs and relaxed.
Intransitive verb meaning to stretch out or extend on its own. Use when a body part stretches naturally or without conscious effort.
The cat is stretching out its front paws.
A common phrase meaning to stretch out one's arms and legs, often to relax.
After work, I stretched out my arms and legs.
To extend one's hand or arm in order to touch or grab something.
Literally 'stretch out one's hand'. The most natural way to say reach out or stretch out to grab something.
He stretched out his hand and touched my shoulder.
To stretch out one's hand, often with a nuance of offering help or a handshake. Slightly formal.
To lengthen or expand an object, material, or time period.
Transitive verb for lengthening or stretching something out, like dough, a rubber band, or a deadline.
Please stretch out the dough thinly.
We stretched out the meeting by 30 minutes.
Used specifically for extending time, deadlines, or abstract lengths. Often interchangeable with 伸ばす for temporal extension.
To spread or stretch something out in area, like a map or a net.
To lie down, often with limbs extended, in order to rest or sleep.
General phrase for lying down, often to rest. Does not necessarily imply stretching limbs, but is the most common way to express the idea of stretching out on a bed or sofa.
Let's stretch out and rest for a bit.
Literally 'sleep with arms and legs stretched out'. Emphasizes the physical stretching aspect.
To lie down casually or sprawl out. Informal.
To continue or spread over a distance or period.
Intransitive verb for something stretching out in length or duration, like a road, a shadow, or a meeting.
The meeting stretched out longer than planned.
The sandy beach stretches out into the distance.
To spread out or extend over an area, like a view or a field.
伸ばす is used for physical stretching (limbs, dough, etc.) and can also be used for extending time. 延ばす is used exclusively for extending time or abstract lengths (deadlines, stays). In many temporal contexts they are interchangeable, but 延ばす is more formal and written.
While '手足を伸ばす' is correct for physically stretching limbs, simply saying '横になる' is more natural when you mean to lie down and relax. Using '伸ばす' alone without context may sound like you are only extending a body part.
He stretched out his arm to grab the rope.
I just want to stretch out on the sofa.
The child stretched out his hand for the candy.
He stretched out his hand for a handshake.
滞在を一週間延ばした。
I stretched out my stay by one week.
地図をテーブルに広げた。
I stretched out the map on the table.
I'm tired, so I want to stretch out and sleep.
芝生に寝転んで空を見た。
I stretched out on the grass and looked at the sky.
眼下に街が広がっていた。
The city stretched out below us.