Translation guide
The English phrase "move up" can refer to physical movement to a higher position, advancement in a sequence or hierarchy, or making space by shifting. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To go to a higher place or position, such as moving up a floor, a hill, or a seat.
General verb for moving upward, going up, or rising. Used for stairs, hills, stages, etc.
Please move up to the second floor.
He moved up onto the platform.
To climb or go up, often implying effort, like climbing stairs, a hill, or a ladder.
Literally 'go to the top/upper part'. Simple and clear for moving to a higher location.
Let's move up a little further.
Intransitive verb; also means to rise or go up. Often used for things like smoke, balloons, or elevators.
To move to a higher level in a job, class, queue, or ranking.
To get promoted in a company or organization. Specifically for career advancement.
To move oneself or something to create room, often in a seat or line.
To squeeze in, move closer together. Often used when asking people to shift to make space.
To change an appointment or event to an earlier date or time.
To move a schedule forward. Literally 'hasten the schedule'.
動く means 'to move' in a general sense, but it doesn't convey upward direction. Use specific verbs like 上がる or 上る.
上がる (あがる) is a general verb for going up, often used for entering a house, going upstairs, or rising. 上る (のぼる) implies climbing or ascending, often with effort, like climbing a mountain or stairs. For elevators, 上がる is more common.
Please move up the stairs.
Go up by elevator.
He moved up to department manager.
For moving up in a ranking, game level, or any tier system.
I moved up in rank in the game.
When your turn comes sooner, e.g., in a queue. Literally 'the order becomes earlier'.
Since there was a cancellation, my turn moved up.
To rise in the world, succeed in one's career. Slightly broader than 昇進, can imply overall success.
He moved up in the world at a young age.
Could you move up a little?
Move further inside, e.g., on a bus or train. Used to ask people to move toward the back.
Please move up (toward the back).
Move forward to fill gaps, often in a line or queue.
Please move up a bit more.
Can we move up the meeting date?
To bring forward a plan or schedule. Common in business contexts.
We are moving up the project timeline.
To make the time earlier. Simple and direct.
Let's move up the start time by 30 minutes.