背伸び

せのび

Also written せいのび, 背延び

Meanings

1. Noun, する verb, Intransitive standing on tiptoe and stretching one's back to make oneself taller; stretching oneself
2. overreaching oneself; overstretching oneself; trying to do something beyond one's ability; pushing to the limit

Kanji

• 背 back. Read as せ.
• 伸 stretch. Read as のびる.

Example sentences

• 彼は背伸びをして失敗した。
  He bit off more than he could chew.
• はい、大きく背伸びしてください。
  Right, stretch to your full length, please.

Common phrases

• 背伸びをする

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists