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'.
彼は本から顔を上げた。
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.
彼はゆっくりと頭を上げた。
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.
蛇が首をもたげた。
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'.
失敗しても、また顔を上げて頑張ろう。
Even if you fail, raise your head and keep trying.
Figuratively means to start showing confidence or to emerge from a low state. Similar to 'rear one's head' in English.
彼の中で自信が頭をもたげ始めた。
Confidence began to raise its head within him.
Often used for negative things like doubts or problems emerging, but can also apply to confidence.
疑念が首をもたげた。
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.
古い問題が再び頭をもたげてきた。
Old problems have raised their head again.
Very similar to 頭をもたげる, often interchangeable, but can sound slightly more literary.
不満が首をもたげ始めた。
Discontent began to raise its head.
Means 'to rise to prominence' or 'emerge', often used for political movements, new powers, or trends. More formal.
新たな勢力が台頭してきた。
A new force has raised its head.
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.
顔を上げてください。
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).