Translation and Meaning of: 及ぶ - oyobu

Se você está estudando japonês ou tem curiosidade sobre a língua, já deve ter se deparado com a palavra 及ぶ (およぶ, oyobu). Ela aparece em contextos formais e literários, mas também pode surgir em conversas do dia a dia. Neste artigo, vamos explorar seu significado, origem e usos práticos, além de dicas para memorizá-la. Se quiser ver exemplos reais de frases, confira o Suki Nihongo, o melhor dicionário online de japonês para estudantes.

Meaning and translation of 及ぶ

The word 及ぶ (およぶ) carries the meaning of "to reach," "to attain," or "to come to a certain point." Unlike more common verbs like 届く (todoku, "to arrive physically"), it is used for abstract or large-scale situations. For instance, it can describe consequences that extend to a group or an impact that goes beyond what was expected.

In translations to Portuguese, 及ぶ often appears as "to extend to" or "to reach." An interesting detail is that it is rarely used alone in short sentences. Generally, it is accompanied by particles like に (ni) or まで (made) to indicate a limit or direction.

Origin and writing of the kanji 及

The kanji 及 is composed of 3 strokes and belongs to the group of the oldest characters in the Japanese language. According to the dictionary 漢字源 (Kanjigen), its original form represented a hand reaching for something ahead – hence the connection with its current meanings. Interestingly, it is also used in words like 及第 (きゅうだい, kyūdai), which means "passing an exam."

In modern writing, 及ぶ is considered an N2 level verb in the JLPT, which indicates a more frequent use in formal or journalistic texts. Although it is not one of the most common in everyday situations, it regularly appears in reports about natural disasters or large-scale political decisions.

How to use 及ぶ in real contexts.

A common mistake among students is trying to replace 及ぶ with verbs like 達する (tassuru) without considering the nuance. While the latter implies "to reach a goal," 及ぶ emphasizes the process of extension. For example: 被害は隣の県に及んだ (Higai wa tonari no ken ni oyonda) – "The damages extended to the neighboring prefecture."

To memorize, it's worth associating the kanji 及 with the idea of "reaching something distant." A practical tip is to create flashcards with fixed expressions like 手の及ぶ範囲 (te no oyobu han'i, "reach of the hands"). Listening to news podcasts in Japanese also helps, as reporters often use the term to describe crises or large-scale phenomena.