Translation and Meaning of: 延べ - nobe

The Japanese word 延べ (のべ) may seem simple at first glance, but it carries interesting nuances both in meaning and in everyday usage. If you are studying Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding terms like this can enrich your vocabulary and prevent misunderstandings. In this article, we will explore what 延べ means, how it originated, and in what contexts it appears most frequently.

In addition to uncovering the basic meaning of 延べ, let's dive into details about its origin and how it is perceived by native speakers. If you have ever used the Suki Nihongo dictionary to look up other words, you know that clear and precise information makes all the difference in learning. Here, you will find straightforward explanations and practical examples to solidify this term in your repertoire.

Meaning and usage of 延べ (のべ)

In its most common form, 延べ is a noun that means "total" or "accumulated sum," especially when referring to quantities aggregated over time. It often appears in administrative, statistical, or even everyday contexts to indicate a general calculation. For example, when discussing the total number of participants in an event that occurs over several days, 延べ would be the appropriate word.

It is worth noting that 延べ is not used for simple sums, but rather for situations where there is repetition or extension in time. This differentiates it from terms like 合計 (ごうけい), which also means "total," but without the idea of progressive accumulation. This detail is important for those who want to avoid subtle errors in communication.

Origin and composition of the kanji 延べ

The kanji 延 is composed of the radical 廴 (prolonged movement) combined with 丿 (diagonal stroke). This combination already suggests the idea of something that extends or prolongs, which makes perfect sense when we analyze the meaning of 延べ. The reading のべ is one of the kun'yomi (Japanese readings) of this character, which can also be read as えん in compounds like 延期 (えんき, postponement).

Interestingly, the verb 延ばす (のばす) means "to extend" or "to lengthen," maintaining that notion of prolongation present in the kanji. This connection between form and meaning helps to memorize not only 延べ but also other words from the same family. Studying etymology can be a powerful ally for those who want to expand their vocabulary in Japanese.

Cultural contexts and memorization tips

In Japan, 延べ is a term quite present in official reports, news, and documents involving statistics. If you follow Japanese media, you have probably come across it in headlines about accumulated numbers of tourists, event participants, or even disease cases. Its frequent use in formal contexts makes it relevant for those who intend to work or study in the country.

An effective way to memorize 延べ is to visually associate it with the kanji 延, imagining something that extends horizontally (as the radical 廴 suggests). Another tip is to create sentences with related words, such as 延べ人数 (のべにんずう, total number of people) or 延べ面積 (のべめんせき, total area). These combinations are common and help to firmly establish the term in a contextualized manner.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 延長 (Enchō) - Extension, prolongation
• 総計 (Sōkei) - Total, total sum
• 累計 (Ruikei) - Accumulated sum, total accumulated
• 総額 (Sōgaku) - Total amount, total sum
• 総和 (Sōwa) - Total sum of elements, total
• 総量 (Sōryō) - Total quantity, total volume
• 累積 (Ruiseiki) - Accumulation, continuous accumulation
• 累計数 (Ruikeisū) - Total accumulated number
• 累計額 (Ruikeigaku) - Total accumulated value
• 累積量 (Ruisekiryō) - Accumulated amount
• 累加 (Ruika) - Accumulation, successive addition
• 累進 (Ruishin) - Cumulative progress, progression
• 累算 (Ruisan) - Accumulated calculation
• 累計値 (Ruikeichi) - Total accumulated value
• 累積値 (Ruisekichi) - Total accumulated value, accumulation value
• 累加値 (Ruikachi) - Accumulated value by addition
• 累進値 (Ruishinchi) - Values in ascending order, progression of values
• 累算値 (Ruisan'chi) - Total calculated value

延べ

Romaji: nobe
Kana: のべ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: futures; credit (purchase); stretching; total

Meaning in English: futures;credit (buying);stretching;total

Definition: A word used to express an amount of something, such as time or space.