Translation guide
The concept of raising and lowering objects, body parts, or abstract things like volume, prices, or status. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being moved and whether the action is transitive or intransitive.
To physically lift something up or bring it down.
Transitive verb meaning to raise or lift something. Used for objects, hands, flags, etc.
Please raise your hand.
He lifted the box onto the shelf.
Transitive verb meaning to lower or bring down something. The counterpart of 上げる.
Please lower the luggage.
He lowered the flag.
To lift up and hold something. Emphasizes the action of lifting.
Can you lift this box?
To take down or lower something from a higher place, like unloading cargo or lowering a blind.
Please unload the luggage from the car.
To move your own body parts up or down.
To increase or decrease something like volume, temperature, prices, or social status.
Transitive verb for raising abstract levels: volume, temperature, prices, etc.
Please turn up the volume.
Transitive verb for lowering abstract levels.
Intransitive verb meaning something rises or goes up by itself. Used for temperature, prices, status, etc.
Intransitive verb meaning something falls or goes down by itself.
To promote or demote someone, or to rise or fall in rank.
To promote someone (transitive).
The company promoted him to department manager.
To demote someone (transitive).
The boss demoted him.
To be promoted (intransitive).
He was promoted to section chief.
To be demoted (intransitive).
He was demoted to a regular employee.
To hoist or lower a flag, sail, or similar object.
Many raising/lowering verbs come in transitive-intransitive pairs. Transitive verbs (上げる, 下げる) take a direct object marked by を. Intransitive verbs (上がる, 下がる) describe something moving on its own and use が. Choose the correct one based on whether someone is acting on something or it is happening by itself.
He raised the temperature. (transitive)
The temperature rose. (intransitive)
When talking about raising or lowering a person's status, use specific verbs like 昇進させる/降格させる. Using 上げる/下げる for people can sound like physically lifting or dropping them.
手を下げていいですよ。
You can put your hand down.
He lifted his heavy leg.
The government may raise taxes.
音量を下げてください。
Please turn down the volume.
The store lowered the prices.
気温が上がった。
The temperature rose.
Prices are rising.
気温が下がった。
The temperature dropped.
Sales are declining.
夕方に旗を降ろす。
They lower the flag in the evening.