延
prolong, stretching
Readings
On'yomi
- エン
Kun'yomi
- の.びる
- の.べる
- の.べ
- の.ばす
Nanori
- たか
- のぶ
- のべ
Meaning
延 centers on making something longer in time or space: prolonging, stretching out, or extending. The idea applies to both physical stretching and extending deadlines or durations.
Most common words using 延
20 of 162- 延長えんちょうN2
extension; elongation; prolongation; lengthening
- 延期えんきN3
postponement; deferment; adjournment
- 遅延ちえん
delay; latency
- 延べのべN1
futures
- 蔓延まんえん
spread (e.g. of a disease); rampancy; infestation; proliferation; being widespread
- 延命えんめい
keeping alive longer; prolonging life; life extension; life-support
- 延いてはひいてはN1
by extension; in turn; by the same token; in addition; as well; consequently
- 生き延びるいきのびる
to survive; to live long
- 延伸えんしん
stretching; extension; elongation
- 蔓延るはびこるN1
to become overgrown; to grow thick
- 延滞えんたいN1
arrears; (being) overdue; delay (e.g. in payment); procrastination
- 延焼えんしょう
spread of fire
- 順延じゅんえん
postponement; moving to a later date
- 間延びまのび
taking a long time; slowness; sluggishness
- 延喜えんぎ
Engi era (901.7.15-923.4.11)
- 延髄えんずい
medulla oblongata
- 圧延あつえん
rolling; extending by applying pressure
- 繰り延べくりのべ
postponement
- 延々えんえんN1
endlessly; continuously; (going) on and on
- 万延まんえん
Man'en era (1860.3.18-1861.2.19)
Study
Etymology
延 combines 廴 (a step or movement) with a component derived from 止 (foot), suggesting the idea of moving forward and extending. The modern form keeps the 廴 enclosure and a simplified inner shape.
Meaning mnemonic
The 廴 enclosure looks like a long stretching path, and the inner part resembles a foot (止) taking a step forward. Together they show a step that prolongs the journey.
Reading mnemonic
For エン, imagine stretching a rubber band until it makes a long 'en' sound: en -> エン, and the band extends further and further.