Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we learn the word 上がる (agaru). It means 'to go up'. Think of a bird going up in the sky. Up! That is agaru. Or maybe you go up the stairs. Stairs go up. You agaru. Sometimes, things get more, like points in a game. More points is agaru. It is a simple word for going up!
The verb 上がる (agaru) is very useful in Japanese. It means 'to go up' or 'to rise'. You can use it when you physically move upwards, like climbing stairs (kaidan o agaru) or going up to a higher floor. It's also used for things that increase, such as the temperature (ki Ondo ga agaru) or prices (nedan ga agaru). When something is finished, like a meal being ready, you can also say it agaru. It's a common verb you'll hear and use often!
上がる (agaru) is a fundamental Japanese verb with the core meaning of 'to go up' or 'to rise'. Its usage extends beyond simple physical ascent. For example, it describes increases in abstract quantities like prices or scores. It also signifies completion, such as a meal being ready (ryouri ga agaru) or a project finishing. Furthermore, it's used when entering a place, particularly stepping up into a room or onto a stage (butai ni agaru). Understanding these different contexts will greatly enhance your ability to communicate naturally in Japanese.
The Japanese verb 上がる (agaru) is a high-frequency intransitive verb signifying upward movement or increase. Beyond its literal meaning of ascending (e.g., climbing stairs, a mountain), it denotes abstract rises in value, level, or temperature (nedan ga agaru, reberu ga agaru, ki Ondo ga agaru). A key idiomatic usage is its application to completion or readiness, particularly for food (ryouri ga agaru). It also implies entering a space, often with a nuance of stepping up into it, like a stage or a traditional room. Familiarity with its various collocations and idiomatic expressions, such as 息を上げる (to become out of breath), is crucial for advanced comprehension and expression.
上がる (agaru) is a polysemous Japanese verb whose semantic range encompasses physical and abstract ascent, increase, completion, and entry. Its intransitive nature distinguishes it from the transitive ageru (to raise). Context is paramount in deciphering its meaning: agaru can describe the sun rising (taiyou ga agaru), prices escalating (nedan ga agaru), or a project concluding. Its use in contexts like taiin suru (to be discharged from hospital) or shukkin suru (to go to work) highlights cultural nuances of movement relative to a reference point. Furthermore, idiomatic expressions like 湯気が上がる (steam rising) or 顔が上がる (to regain face/pride) demonstrate its figurative extension. Mastering agaru requires appreciating its subtle semantic shifts across diverse registers and situations.
The verb 上がる (agaru) represents a core concept of upward trajectory and increase within the Japanese lexicon. Its etymological connection to the character 上 ('up') underpins its multifaceted applications, ranging from the literal ascent of physical objects and geographical locations to the metaphorical escalation of economic indicators, social status, or personal achievement. Its intransitive nature implies a self-initiated or natural process, contrasting with the agentive force of its transitive counterpart, ageru. Advanced usage is evident in its role within set phrases denoting completion (e.g., shigoto ga agaru - work is finished), entry into elevated spaces (butai ni agaru - go on stage), and even emotional states (namida ga agaru - tears well up). Understanding the historical evolution of agaru, its interplay with similar verbs, and its presence in nuanced idiomatic expressions provides deep insight into the Japanese worldview regarding progress, transition, and culmination.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Core meaning: To go up, rise, increase.
- Versatile: Used for physical movement, abstract increases, completion, and entering places.
- Intransitive verb: The subject performs the action itself.
- Key distinction: Different from transitive 'ageru' (to raise).
Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese verb 上がる (agaru). At its core, it means 'to go up' or 'to rise.' Think of a balloon floating up into the sky – that's agaru! But it's not just about physical movement. It can also describe things increasing, like the temperature rising or prices going up. We also use it when something is finished, like a project being completed, or when you enter a place, like stepping onto a stage. It's a versatile word that pops up in many different situations, so understanding its various shades of meaning will really boost your Japanese skills!
Imagine you're climbing a mountain; your altitude is agaru. If you're playing a video game and your score gets higher, that score agaru. When a chef finishes preparing a dish, they might say the dish is ready to agaru. Or if you're invited to a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, you'll agaru (step up) into the tea room. See? It covers a lot of ground! We'll explore all these cool uses and more, so get ready to level up your understanding of agaru!
The word 上がる (agaru) has deep roots in the Japanese language, tracing back to ancient times. Its kanji character 上 literally means 'up' or 'above.' This character itself has a long history, originating from pictograms that depicted a line above another line, symbolizing something being on top or higher. The verb form agaru evolved from this fundamental concept of elevation.
In classical Japanese, the verb was often written as ageu, which gradually shifted to agaru through natural phonetic changes over centuries. It's related to the transitive verb ageru (上げる), which means 'to raise' or 'to lift.' Think of it like this: ageru is when *you* lift something up, and agaru is when something lifts *itself* up or naturally goes up. This distinction between transitive (making something happen) and intransitive (something happening naturally) verbs is common in many languages, and Japanese is no exception. The core idea of 'upward movement' or 'increase' has remained consistent throughout its history, making it a foundational verb in the language.
Interestingly, the concept of 'going up' or 'ascending' is significant in many cultures, often associated with progress, spirituality, or higher status. In Japan, the idea of ascending to a higher level, whether physically or metaphorically, is deeply ingrained, and agaru perfectly captures this notion. It's a word that has traveled through time, carrying its essential meaning of 'up' with it.
So, when do we actually use 上がる (agaru)? It's incredibly versatile! Let's break down some key scenarios. The most straightforward use is for physical movement upwards. Think about climbing stairs: kaidan o agaru (階段を上がる - to go up the stairs). Or if you're going up to a higher floor in a building: ni-kai ni agaru (２階に上がる - to go up to the second floor). It also applies to natural phenomena like the sun rising (taiyou ga agaru - 太陽が上がる) or temperatures increasing (ki Ondo ga agaru - 気温が上がる).
Beyond physical motion, agaru is used for abstract increases. For example, prices can go up: nedan ga agaru (値段が上がる - prices go up). Your level in a game can increase: reberu ga agaru (レベルが上がる - level up). It's also used for finishing something. When a task is done or a meal is ready, you might hear it: ryouri ga agaru (料理が上がる - the meal is ready/finished). And don't forget entering a place, especially a more formal or elevated one. Stepping onto a stage is butai ni agaru (舞台に上がる - to go up on stage), and entering a Japanese home often involves stepping up into the genkan (entrance area), which can also be described with agaru.
Common collocations include: shukkin suru (出勤する - to go to work, literally 'go up to work'), taiin suru (退院する - to be discharged from the hospital, literally 'go up from the hospital'), shukuhaku suru (宿泊する - to stay overnight, often implying going up to a room). The register can vary; while agaru itself is neutral, the context dictates formality. For instance, saying a price agaru is neutral, but describing a formal ceremony where one agaru (ascends) to a platform would be more formal.
Japanese is full of colorful expressions, and 上がる (agaru) is part of quite a few! These idioms often take the literal meaning of 'going up' and give it a figurative twist. Mastering them adds a fantastic layer of fluency to your Japanese.
Here are some common ones:
- 湯気が上がる (Yuge ga agaru): Literally 'steam rises.' This is used to describe hot food or drinks that are steaming. Example: Soup ga atsuatsu de, yuge ga takusan agatte iru. (スープが熱々で、湯気がたくさん上がっている。 - The soup is piping hot, and lots of steam is rising.)
- 火の手が上がる (Hi no te ga agaru): Literally 'hands of fire rise.' This means a fire has broken out or started. Example: Kono hen de hi no te ga agatta rashii. (この辺で火の手が上がったらしい。 - It seems a fire has broken out around here.)
- 息を上げる (Iki o ageru): Literally 'to raise one's breath.' This means to become out of breath, usually from exertion like running or climbing. Example: Ano saka o hashitte, iki o agete shimatta. (あの坂を走って、息を上げてしまった。 - I ran up that hill and got out of breath.)
- 涙が上がる (Namida ga agaru): Literally 'tears rise.' This refers to tears welling up in one's eyes, often due to emotion. Example: Ureshi-namida ga agatte kita. (嬉し涙が上がってきた。 - Tears of joy welled up.)
- 腰が上がる (Koshi ga agaru): Literally 'one's hips rise.' This means to get up and start doing something, often after being hesitant or lazy. Example: Yatto koshi ga agatte, benkyou o hajimeta. (やっと腰が上がって、勉強を始めた。 - Finally, I got up and started studying.)
- 顔が上がる (Kao ga agaru): Literally 'one's face rises.' This means to be able to hold one's head up with pride, often after a period of shame or difficulty. Example: Shiken ni goukaku shite, kao ga agaru. (試験に合格して、顔が上がる。 - I passed the exam, so I can hold my head up high.)
These expressions show how the simple concept of 'going up' can be creatively applied to various situations!
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of 上がる (agaru)! As a verb, it conjugates like other Group 1 (u-verbs) in Japanese. This means its stem changes in predictable ways. For example, the past tense is agatta (上がった), the negative is aganai (上がらない), and the te-form is agatte (上がって).
Pronunciation-wise, agaru is pronounced roughly as /a.ɡa.ɾɯ/. The 'a' sounds are like the 'a' in 'father.' The 'g' is a voiced velar nasal, similar to the 'g' in 'go.' The 'r' is a flap, similar to the 'tt' in the American English pronunciation of 'butter' or 'ladder.' The final 'u' is a short, unstressed vowel, almost like the 'oo' in 'good.' There isn't a strong stress pattern; the syllables are relatively evenly weighted, though the first syllable might have a very slight emphasis.
Common pronunciation pitfalls for English speakers might include the Japanese 'r' sound, which is different from the English 'r,' and ensuring the final 'u' is pronounced clearly but not overly strongly. Rhyming words are tricky in Japanese as it's syllable-timed, but words ending in '-aru' might share a similar feel, like aru (ある - to exist), waru (割る - to break), or haru (貼る - to paste).
Grammatically, agaru is an intransitive verb, meaning it describes an action performed by the subject itself, rather than an action done *to* an object. For instance, 'prices rise' (nedan ga agaru) uses agaru. If you wanted to say 'I raise prices,' you would use the transitive verb ageru (値段を上げる - nedan o ageru).
Fun Fact
The kanji 上 itself is ancient, possibly originating from a simple drawing of a line above another line, representing 'higher'. The verb form evolved over centuries from older Japanese words.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'ah-GAH-roo', with the 'r' being a light flap, similar to the 'tt' in 'butter'.
Sounds like 'ah-GAH-roo', the 'r' is a flap sound, not the typical American 'r'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'r' too strongly like an English 'r'.
- Making the final 'u' sound too emphasized.
- Incorrectly stressing syllables; Japanese is more evenly stressed.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Requires understanding of context for multiple meanings.
Choosing the correct nuance and verb (agaru vs. ageru) can be tricky.
Pronunciation and choosing the right context are key.
Multiple meanings require good listening comprehension.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Intransitive Verbs
The subject performs the action itself (e.g., 値段が上がる).
Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs
Distinguishing between 'agaru' and 'ageru'.
Te-form Conjugation
Used for connecting actions or requests (e.g., 上がって下さい).
Examples by Level
空に鳥が 上がる。
sky-in bird-topical-marker go-up-plain-form.
Use 'ga' particle for the subject.
階段を 上がる。
stairs-accusative-marker go-up-plain-form.
Use 'o' particle to mark the path.
点数が 上がる。
score-topical-marker go-up-plain-form.
'ga' particle marks the thing that increases.
値段が 上がる。
price-topical-marker go-up-plain-form.
Same structure as score increasing.
お風呂に 上がる。
bath-in go-up-plain-form.
Means to finish bathing.
ご飯が 上がる。
meal-topical-marker go-up-plain-form.
Means the meal is ready.
家へ 上がる。
house-to go-up-plain-form.
Implies stepping up into the main living area.
学校に 上がる。
school-to go-up-plain-form.
Can mean to go to school, especially if it's uphill.
空に鳥が 上がっています。
sky-in bird-topical-marker go-up-progressive-form.
The -te iru form indicates an ongoing action.
階段を ゆっくり 上がってください。
stairs-accusative-marker slowly go-up-please.
'te kudasai' is used for polite requests.
この冬は 気温が 上がるでしょう。
this winter-topical-marker temperature-topical-marker go-up-future-likely.
'deshou' expresses probability or likelihood.
彼の給料が 来月 上がるらしいです。
his salary-topical-marker next month go-up-hearsay-polite.
'rashii desu' indicates information heard from others.
料理が 上がりました。どうぞ。
cooking-topical-marker go-up-past-polite. Please.
Past tense 'agari mashita' indicates completion.
舞台に 上がるのは 緊張します。
stage-on go-up-nominalizer-topical-marker nervousness-verb.
Nominalizes the verb phrase 'butai ni agaru' to make it a subject.
疲れたので、少し 休みます。
tired-because, a little rest-will-do.
While not using 'agaru', this context implies prior effort.
家の中に 上がってください。
house-inside-in go-up-please.
Polite instruction to enter the house properly.
山の頂上まで 頑張って 上がりました。
mountain-of summit-until work hard-te go-up-past-polite.
The '-te' form connects sequential actions.
最近、物価が どんどん 上がっている。
recently, prices-topical-marker rapidly go-up-progressive-form.
'dondon' emphasizes a continuous increase.
会議が終わったら、すぐ 部屋を 出ます。
meeting-topical-marker finish-after, immediately room-accusative-marker exit-will-do.
Implies the meeting concluded ('agatta').
彼のスピーチは 会場を 沸かせた。
his speech-topical-marker venue-accusative-marker make-excited.
While using a different verb, the effect is similar to raising excitement.
成績が 上がったので、両親も 喜んでいる。
grades-topical-marker go-up-past-polite-so, parents-also are-pleased.
Cause and effect structure: 'agatta node' (because it went up).
彼は 役員に 上がる 予定だ。
he-topical-marker executive-to go-up-plan-is.
Indicates promotion to a higher position.
このドラマは 視聴率が 上がっているらしい。
this drama-topical-marker viewership-rating-topical-marker go-up-progressive-form-hearsay.
Expressing hearsay about increasing popularity.
お祭りの 準備が ほぼ 上がった。
festival-of preparation-topical-marker almost go-up-past-polite.
Indicates that preparations are complete or nearly complete.
長年の努力が 実り、ついに 彼は 社長に 上がった。
long-years-of effort-topical-marker bear-fruit-te, finally he-topical-marker president-to go-up-past-polite.
Implies a significant promotion after hard work.
予想以上の 経済成長で、株価が 急激に 上がった。
expectation-more-than economic-growth-with, stock-price-topical-marker rapidly go-up-past-polite.
'kyuugeki ni' emphasizes the speed of the increase.
このプロジェクトは 予定通りに 上がりそうだ。
this project-topical-marker plan-as-is go-up-seem-potential.
'sou da' expresses conjecture or likelihood based on appearance.
彼は 緊張のあまり、息を 上げてしまった。
he-topical-marker nervousness-of excess-due-to, breath-accusative-marker go-up-past-te-shimatta.
Idiomatic use: 'iki o ageru' means to become breathless.
卒業後、皆が それぞれの道へ 上がっていく。
after-graduation, everyone-topical-marker each-their own path-to go-up-progressive-form.
Metaphorical use for moving on to the next stage of life.
そのニュースを聞いて、彼女の顔色が ぱっと 上がった。
that news-accusative-marker hear-te, her complexion-topical-marker suddenly go-up-past-polite.
Indicates a sudden positive change in appearance or mood.
長雨で 川の水位が かなり 上がっている。
long-rain-due-to river-of water-level-topical-marker quite go-up-progressive-form.
Describes a natural phenomenon reaching a higher level.
彼は 苦労して 描いた絵が、ついに 美術展に 上がった。
he-topical-marker struggle-te draw-past-te paint-topical-marker, finally art-exhibition-in go-up-past-polite.
Indicates the artwork was selected for exhibition.
長年の研究が実を結び、彼の論文は 学界で高く評価されるに至った。
long-years-of research-topical-marker bear-fruit-te, his thesis-topical-marker academic-world-in highly evaluated reach-past-polite.
While not using 'agaru', 'tōtatta' (reached) implies a similar upward achievement.
市場の変動により、多くの企業の株価が 一時的に 上昇したが、その後、調整局面に入った。
market-of fluctuations-due-to, many companies-of stock-price-topical-marker temporarily rise-ascend-past-polite-but, after that, adjustment-phase-in enter-past-polite.
Uses 'jōshō' (ascent/rise), a more formal noun form related to 'agaru'.
このプロジェクトの成功は、関係者全員の努力の賜物であり、チームの士気も大いに 上がった。
this project-of success-topical-marker, related-persons-all-of effort-of gift-is-and, team-of morale-topical-marker greatly go-up-past-polite.
Highlights the boost in morale ('shiki ga agatta').
彼は 予期せぬ逆境に 立ち向かい、その経験を通して人間的に 大きく 上がった。
he-topical-marker unexpected-adversity-in confront-te, that experience-through personally greatly go-up-past-polite.
Metaphorical growth and improvement in character.
伝統的な儀式では、神職者が 祭壇に 上がり、祝詞を 奏上する。
traditional-formal ritual-in, Shinto-priests-topical-marker altar-to go-up-te, prayer-accusative-marker recite-will-do.
Formal context of ascending to a sacred space.
彼の作品は、単なる写実を超え、見る者の感情に 深く 訴えかける次元へと 上がった。
his work-topical-marker, merely realism-beyond, viewer-of emotion-to deeply appeal-te dimension-to go-up-past-polite.
Describes art reaching a higher, more profound level.
長年の不遇を 経て、ついに 彼の才能が 正当に 評価される日が 来た。
long-years-of adversity-accusative-marker pass-te, finally his talent-topical-marker properly evaluated day-topical-marker come-past-polite.
Implies a rise in recognition and status.
この地域は 過去の 災害から 見事に 立ち直り、復興の 槌音が 高く 上がっている。
this region-topical-marker past-of disaster-from admirably recover-te, reconstruction-of hammer-sound-topical-marker highly go-up-progressive-form.
Symbolic representation of progress and recovery.
その哲学者の思索は、日常的経験の範疇を超越し、形而上学的な高みへと 上昇した。
that philosopher-of contemplation-topical-marker, everyday-experience-of category-beyond transcend-te, metaphysical-formal height-to ascend-past-polite.
Uses the formal noun 'jōshō' (ascent), emphasizing intellectual elevation.
彼の芸術は、単なる技術的習熟の域に留まらず、観る者の魂に 響く普遍的な境地へと 到達した。
his art-topical-marker, merely technical mastery-of realm-in stay-not-te, viewer-of soul-in resonate-progressive-form universal-state-to reach-past-polite.
Implies reaching a sublime or transcendent artistic level.
長年にわたる社会的不遇にもかかわらず、彼女の不屈の精神は 決して 衰えることなく、むしろ 向上していった。
long-years-over social-adversity-despite, her-topical-marker indomitable-spirit-topical-marker never weaken-without-te, rather improve-progressive-form-past-polite.
'Kōjō' (improvement/progress) is used, suggesting a continuous upward trend.
その古代遺跡の発掘により、文明の 黎明期に 関する我々の理解は 計り知れないほど 深まった。
that ancient-ruins-of excavation-by, civilization-of dawn-period-regarding our-topical-marker understanding-topical-marker immeasurable-extent-as deepen-past-polite.
While not directly using 'agaru', the deepening of understanding signifies reaching a new level of knowledge.
彼は 政治的駆け引きの 末、ついに 最高権力の 座に 上り詰めた。
he-topical-marker political-maneuvering-of end-in, finally supreme-power-of seat-to ascend-reach-past-polite.
'agari tsumu' implies reaching the very top after a struggle.
その音楽家の演奏は、聴衆を 日常の束縛から 解き放ち、幻想的な陶酔の世界へと 誘った。
that musician-of performance-topical-marker, audience-accusative-marker daily-life-of constraints-from release-te, fantastical-intoxication-of world-to invite-past-polite.
The music elevates the listeners' experience to a higher plane.
彼女の文学作品は、人間の 存在の 深淵を 覗き込み、読者の 意識を より 高次の 次元へと 導く。
her literary-work-topical-marker, human-of existence-of abyss-accusative-marker peer-into, reader-of consciousness-accusative-marker more higher-level dimension-to guide-progressive-form.
The writing elevates the reader's consciousness.
この技術革新は、産業全体の生産性を 前例のない水準まで 引き上げた。
this technological-innovation-topical-marker, industry-entire-of productivity-accusative-marker unprecedented-level-until pull-up-past-polite.
Uses 'hikiageta' (pulled up), the transitive form, to show external elevation of productivity.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"湯気が上がる (Yuge ga agaru)"
Steam rises (from hot food or drink).
出来立てのラーメンから湯気が上がっていた。(Dete tate no rāmen kara yuge ga agatte ita. - Steam was rising from the freshly made ramen.)
neutral"息を上げる (Iki o ageru)"
To become out of breath, to pant.
急な坂道を登って、息が上がってしまった。(Kyū na sakamichi o nobotte, iki ga agatte shimatta. - I climbed the steep hill road and became out of breath.)
neutral"涙が上がる (Namida ga agaru)"
Tears well up in one's eyes.
感動的な映画を見て、涙が上がってきた。(Kandōteki na eiga o mite, namida ga agatte kita. - Watching the moving movie, tears welled up.)
neutral"顔が上がる (Kao ga agaru)"
To be able to hold one's head up with pride; to regain face.
長年の努力が認められ、ようやく顔が上がった。(Naganen no doryoku ga mitomerare, yōyaku kao ga agatta. - After years of hard work were recognized, I could finally hold my head up high.)
neutral"腰が上がる (Koshi ga agaru)"
To get up and start doing something; to bestir oneself.
いつまでも寝ていないで、早く腰を上げなさい。(Itsu made mo nete inai de, hayaku koshi o agenasai. - Don't sleep forever, get up and do something quickly!)
casual"火の手が上がる (Hi no te ga agaru)"
A fire breaks out; flames rise.
遠くの町で火の手が上がっているのが見えた。(Tōku no machi de hi no te ga agatte iru no ga mieta. - I could see flames rising in the distant town.)
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean 'to go up' or 'rise'. Both use the kanji 上.
Noboru is often more formal or literary, typically used for climbing mountains, the sun rising, or promotions. Agaru is more general and versatile for everyday situations.
太陽が昇った。(Taiyou ga nobotta. - The sun rose - formal/literary). 値段が上がった。(Nedan ga agatta. - Prices went up - everyday).
They share the same kanji and sound similar, differing only in the final vowel.
Agari is intransitive (something rises itself). Ageru is transitive (you raise something).
熱が上がる (Netsu ga agaru - My fever rose). 熱を上げる (Netsu o ageru - I raised my fever - less common, implies doing something to cause it).
Both relate to movement between levels.
Agari is 'to go up', 'to ascend', 'to enter'. Oriru is 'to get off', 'to descend'.
階段を上がる (Kaidan o agaru - go up stairs). バスを降りる (Basu o oriru - get off the bus).
Both can mean 'increase'.
Agari is broader ('go up', 'rise'). Fueru specifically means 'to increase in number or quantity'.
点数が上がる (Tensuu ga agaru - Score goes up). 人数が増える (Ninzuu ga fueru - The number of people increases).
Sentence Patterns
Noun + が + 上がる
気温が上がる (Ki Ondo ga agaru - The temperature rises)
Noun + を + 上がる
階段を上がる (Kaidan o agaru - To go up the stairs)
Noun + に + 上がる
舞台に上がる (Butai ni agaru - To go up on stage)
Idiom Phrase (Noun + を + 上げる)
息を上げる (Iki o ageru - To become out of breath)
Noun + が + Verb (Te-form) + 上がる
料理が仕上がって上がる (Ryouri ga shiagatte agaru - The meal is finished and ready)
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Agareu is intransitive (something rises by itself), while ageru is transitive (someone raises something). 'Nedan ga agaru' means prices are rising naturally, but 'nedan o ageru' means someone is actively raising them.
Agaru means 'to go up', while sagaru means 'to go down'. They are direct antonyms for describing changes in level or value.
Agaru is for going up or entering. Oriru is the correct verb for descending or getting off.
The Japanese 'r' sound (らりるれろ) is made with the tongue tapping the alveolar ridge, not with the back of the tongue like English 'r'.
While 'agaru' can mean completion, it's most common for meals or tasks. It doesn't mean 'everything is finished' in all contexts.
Tips
Visualise the Action
Always picture something physically moving upwards when you think of 'agaru'. Whether it's a balloon, stairs, or a graph line, the visual helps cement the core meaning.
Stepping Up Culture
In Japan, stepping up into a home ('uchi ni agaru') or onto a stage ('butai ni agaru') is common. This physical act of ascending into a space carries a nuance of entering a different realm or status.
Intransitive vs. Transitive
Crucially, 'agaru' is intransitive. If YOU are doing the action of raising something, use the transitive 'ageru'. Price rises? 'Nedan ga agaru'. You raise the price? 'Nedan o ageru'.
Master the Japanese 'R'
Practice the flap 'r' sound (like the 'tt' in 'butter') for 'agaru'. Avoid the strong English 'r' to sound more natural.
Don't Confuse 'Up' and 'Down'
Memorize the antonyms! 'Agara' (up) vs 'Sagaru' (down) are fundamental. If something is decreasing, you need 'sagaru', not 'agaru'.
Kanji Clues
The kanji 上 (ue) literally means 'up'. Always look at the kanji for clues to the word's meaning!
Create Your Own 'Agari' List
Keep a running list of things that 'agaru' in your daily life: your phone battery level, your score in a game, the temperature outside, your excitement for an event.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine an 'A' shape (like a pyramid) with something 'GURU' (guru) standing on top of it, 'going up'. A-GURU -> AGARU.
Visual Association
Picture a hot air balloon rising into the sky, or someone climbing a tall staircase.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'agaru' in sentences describing things going up today: the sun, your mood, a price, or even your score in a game.
Word Origin
Japanese
Original meaning: To ascend, to go up, to climb.
Cultural Context
No major cultural sensitivities associated with this word itself.
In English, 'go up', 'rise', 'increase', 'finish', and 'enter' cover the meanings. The Japanese verb is more concise for these combined concepts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Weather Reports
- 今日の最高気温は30度まで上がります。
- 明日は雨が上がるでしょう。
- 台風が近づいてきて、風が強くなっています（=上がっています）。
Shopping & Prices
- 最近、野菜の値段が上がっている。
- 給料が上がったら、旅行に行きたい。
- この商品の人気が上がってきた。
Health & Body
- 風邪で熱が上がってしまった。
- 急いで走って、息が上がった。
- 健康診断の結果、コレステロール値が上がっていた。
Games & Achievements
- レベルが上がると、新しい技が使える。
- 彼のスコアがどんどん上がっていく。
- 試合に勝って、チームの士気が上がった。
Conversation Starters
"最近、何か値段が上がったと感じるものはありますか？ (Konnichiwa, saikin, nanika nedan ga agatta to kanjiru mono wa arimasu ka? - Recently, have you felt that anything's price has gone up?)"
"もし宝くじに当たったら、どんなことに挑戦したいですか？（例えば、新しいスキルを学ぶ、高いところに住むなど）(Moshi takarakuji ni atattara, donna koto ni chōsen shitai desu ka? - If you won the lottery, what would you want to try? [e.g., learn a new skill, live somewhere high up])"
"今日、何か気分が上がった（良くなった）出来事はありましたか？ (Kyō, nanika kibun ga agatta (yoku natta) dekigoto wa arimashita ka? - Did anything happen today that lifted your spirits?)"
"子供の頃、一番高かった建物は何でしたか？そこから景色はどうでしたか？ (Kodomo no koro, ichiban takakatta tatemono wa nan deshita ka? Soko kara keshiki wa dō deshita ka? - What was the tallest building you remember from when you were a child? What was the view like from there?)"
"最近、何か新しいことを学んで、自分のスキルが上がったと感じましたか？ (Saikin, nanika atarashii koto o manande, jibun no sukiru ga agatta to kanjimashita ka? - Have you recently learned something new and felt like your skills have improved?)"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you physically 'agaru' (went up) something challenging, like a mountain or a tall building. How did you feel?
Think about something in your life that has 'agaru' (increased) recently – maybe your knowledge, your savings, or your happiness. Write about it.
Write about a meal that was particularly delicious and satisfying. Use the phrase 'ryouri ga agaru' (料理が上がる) to describe when it was ready.
Imagine you are about to go on stage ('butai ni agaru' - 舞台に上がる). Describe your feelings and what you see.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsAgari is intransitive (something goes up by itself), like 'prices rise' (値段が上がる). Ageru is transitive (you raise something), like 'I raise prices' (値段を上げる).
Yes, it's commonly used for finishing a meal ('ryouri ga agaru' - the meal is ready) or completing a task.
It can be, especially for stairs ('kaidan o agaru') or mountains ('yama ni agaru'). However, 'noboru' (登る) is often preferred for climbing mountains.
It's pronounced 'ah-GAH-roo', with a light flap 'r' sound.
It's an idiom meaning 'to hold one's head up with pride' or 'to regain face', usually after overcoming difficulties or achieving something.
Yes, but often more formal synonyms like 'jōshō suru' (上昇する - to rise) might be used depending on the context.
Yes, indirectly. For example, 'namida ga agaru' (涙が上がる) means tears well up, and 'shiki ga agaru' (士気が上がる) means morale increases.
The main opposites are 下がる (sagaru - to go down, decrease) and 降りる (oriru - to get off, descend).
Test Yourself
空に鳥が ______。
The sentence describes a bird going up in the sky, so 'agaru' (上がる) is the correct verb.
Which sentence means 'Prices are going up'?
The verb 'agaru' (上がる) means to rise or go up, and 'nedan' means price.
The verb 'agaru' can mean that a meal is ready.
Yes, 'ryouri ga agaru' (料理が上がる) is a common way to say the meal is finished and ready to be served.
Word
Meaning
These pairs match the literal and idiomatic uses of 'agaru'.
The correct sentence is '株価が急に上がった' (Kabuka ga kyuu ni agatta - The stock price suddenly rose). 'ga' marks the subject, and 'kyuu ni' (suddenly) modifies the verb.
長年の努力が実り、彼はついに社長に ______。
This sentence describes a promotion to president, which is an upward movement in status. 'Agatta' (上がった) fits this context.
Which idiom means 'to become out of breath'?
'Iki o ageru' (息を上げる) literally means 'to raise one's breath' and idiomatically means to become breathless.
The transitive verb 'ageru' (上げる) can be used interchangeably with 'agaru' (上がる) when talking about prices increasing.
'Nedan ga agaru' (値段が上がる) means prices are rising naturally (intransitive). 'Nedan o ageru' (値段を上げる) means someone is actively raising prices (transitive). They are not interchangeable.
彼の芸術は、見る者の意識をより______次元へと導く。
The context suggests the art elevates the viewer's consciousness to a higher level, hence 'kōji no' (高次の - higher-level).
In the sentence '長年の不遇を経て、ついに彼の才能が正当に評価される日が来た。(Naganen no fuguu o hete, tsuini kare no sainou ga seitou ni hyouka sareru hi ga kita.)', what is the implied meaning related to 'agaru'?
Although 'agaru' isn't explicitly used, the sentence implies a rise ('agaru') in recognition and evaluation of his talent after a period of hardship.
Score: /10
Summary
Mastering 'agaru' unlocks understanding of everyday Japanese, from simple movements to nuanced expressions of progress and completion.
- Core meaning: To go up, rise, increase.
- Versatile: Used for physical movement, abstract increases, completion, and entering places.
- Intransitive verb: The subject performs the action itself.
- Key distinction: Different from transitive 'ageru' (to raise).
Visualise the Action
Always picture something physically moving upwards when you think of 'agaru'. Whether it's a balloon, stairs, or a graph line, the visual helps cement the core meaning.
Context is Key!
Remember that 'agaru' has many meanings! Pay close attention to the surrounding words (like 'nedan' for price, 'ryouri' for meal) to understand if it means 'rise', 'finish', or 'enter'.
Stepping Up Culture
In Japan, stepping up into a home ('uchi ni agaru') or onto a stage ('butai ni agaru') is common. This physical act of ascending into a space carries a nuance of entering a different realm or status.
Intransitive vs. Transitive
Crucially, 'agaru' is intransitive. If YOU are doing the action of raising something, use the transitive 'ageru'. Price rises? 'Nedan ga agaru'. You raise the price? 'Nedan o ageru'.
Example
太陽が空に上がった。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More general words
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
