Japanese word

上る

Pronunciation

Romajinoboru

Meaning

  • verbclimb, go up

Example

毎朝、丘に上ります。mai asa oka ni nobo ri ma su

I climb the hill every morning.

Illustration for 上る (climb)

More examples

階段を上ります。kai dan o nobo ri ma su

I go up the stairs.

先に上って、景色を見てください。saki ni nobo tte keshiki o mi te ku da sa i

Please go up first and look at the view.

Core concept

Expresses upward movement from a lower point, whether the path leads up a hill, slope, or set of stairs.

Common phrases

  • 階段を上るkai dan o nobo ru

    climb the stairs

  • 坂を上るsaka o nobo ru

    climb the slope

  • 丘に上るoka ni nobo ru

    climb the hill

Similar words

登るnoboru: To climb upward on a mountain, tree, or other steep place, often requiring physical effort.
上がるagaru: To move from a lower place or level to a higher one, with the upward movement as the main focus.

Definition in Japanese

坂や丘などを下から上へ進む。saka ya oka na do o shita ka ra ue e susu mu

Word origin

上る (noboru) is a long-established native Japanese verb with no certain further word division; its meaning is reflected by the kanji 上 (jō, "up"), which marks movement toward a higher place.

Usage tips

  • Because 上る (noboru) can describe a road or slope that rises gradually, it can refer to movement that involves no hands or climbing equipment.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word