Japanese Conversation · Level 33
90 words
Japanese word
上がる
Pronunciation
Romajiagaru
Meaning
- verbgo up
Example
毎朝、階段を上がります。mai asa kai dan o a ga ri ma su
I go up the stairs every morning.
More examples
エレベーターが止まっていたので、六階まで上がりました。e re bē tā ga to ma tte i ta no de roku kai ma de a ga ri ma shi ta
Since the elevator was out of service, I went up to the sixth floor.
Core concept
Expresses upward movement that changes a person's or object's position to a higher level.
Common phrases
階段を上がるkai dan o a ga ru
go up the stairs
二階に上がるni kai ni a ga ru
go up to the second floor
坂を上がるsaka o a ga ru
go up a hill
Similar words
上るnoboru: To go upward by following a route such as stairs, a slope, or a river.
登るnoboru: To climb upward using effort, often on a mountain, wall, or other steep surface.
Definition in Japanese
下方から上方へ移動する。ka hō ka ra kami gata e i dō su ru
Word origin
The native verb 上がる (agaru) is historically associated with the older verb 上ぐ (agu, "raise"). Its formation is not fully certain, so this connection is safer than treating it as a direct compound.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 上がる (agaru) also describes prices or temperatures rising, extending physical upward movement to any change toward a higher level.