By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The suffix ～びる is used with certain nouns to indicate that something “looks like” or “has the appearance of” that noun. It is often used with a limited number of specific nouns and gives a subjective impression.
Structure:
Noun (appearance/state) + ～びる
Common forms include:
- 大人びる – to look mature
- 子供びる – to act like a child
- 古びる – to appear old, worn-out
- 憎びる – to seem hateful (rare/poetic)
💡 Example Sentences
- 彼は年齢の割に大人びている。
He looks mature for his age. - 彼女は子供びた態度をやめるべきだ。
She should stop acting childish. - この机はすっかり古びてしまった。
This desk has become completely worn out. - 彼の言い方は少し憎びていた。
His way of speaking seemed somewhat hateful.
📝 Grammar Notes
- ～びる is usually seen in limited, fixed expressions.
- It is often used in stative or descriptive contexts.
- Can be conjugated like an ichidan (る) verb: 大人びない, 大人びた, etc.
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with other verb suffixes like ～らしい or ～っぽい, which also express impressions but with broader usage.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct ～びる expression
- 彼女は＿＿＿ていて、落ち着いて見える。
- この服は少し＿＿＿ているけど、まだ使える。
- そんな＿＿＿た態度はやめて。
✔ Answers:
- 大人び
- 古び
- 子供び
2. Translate to Japanese using ～びる
- This child behaves very maturely.
- My shoes have become worn out.
- He talks like a child.
✔ Sample Answers:
- この子はとても大人びた態度をとっている。
- 私の靴は古びてしまった。
- 彼は子供びた話し方をする。
📚 Related Grammar
- ～らしい: Appears to be, typical of
- ～っぽい: Has the quality of, easy to~
- ～げ: Looks like (based on emotion)
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: To appear like, to seem like
- Form: Noun (fixed set) + ～びる
- Type: Verb (ichidan)
- JLPT Level: N1
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
