Translation guide
How to express the physical action of lifting one's head, as well as figurative meanings like gaining confidence or becoming noticeable.
The literal action of moving your head upward from a lowered position.
The most common and natural way to say 'raise one's head' in Japanese. Literally 'raise one's face'.
He raised his head from the book.
Please raise your head and look ahead.
Literally 'raise one's head'. Less common than 顔を上げる for the physical action, but still used.
He slowly raised his head.
Literally 'lift one's neck'. Often used figuratively (see next meaning), but can describe physically raising the head, especially in literary contexts.
The snake raised its head.
To become more confident, assertive, or to recover from a difficult situation.
Also used figuratively to mean 'hold one's head high' or 'regain confidence'.
Even if you fail, raise your head and keep trying.
Often used for negative things like doubts or problems emerging, but can also apply to confidence.
Doubts raised their head.
When something, especially a problem, trend, or feeling, starts to appear or become prominent.
Commonly used for problems, doubts, or negative emotions that start to appear.
Old problems have raised their head again.
Very similar to 頭をもたげる, often interchangeable, but can sound slightly more literary.
Discontent began to raise its head.
Means 'to rise to prominence' or 'emerge', often used for political movements, new powers, or trends. More formal.
For the physical action, 顔を上げる (raise one's face) is much more common and natural than 頭を上げる (raise one's head). 頭を上げる is understood but can sound slightly stiff or literal. Use 顔を上げる in most everyday situations.
Please raise your head.
The English verb 'raise' has many meanings. 上げる only means 'lift up'. For 'raise a child', use 育てる (そだてる). For 'raise a question', use 提起する (ていきする) or 問題を持ち出す (もんだいをもちだす).
Figuratively means to start showing confidence or to emerge from a low state. Similar to 'rear one's head' in English.
Confidence began to raise its head within him.
A new force has raised its head.