Translation guide
The English word 'rising' can describe upward movement, increase, or emergence. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings, organized by context.
Describing something physically moving or extending upward, such as smoke, a balloon, or the sun.
General intransitive verb for something rising or going up. Used for objects, prices, status, etc.
煙が空に上がっている。
Smoke is rising into the sky.
気温が上がった。
The temperature rose.
Specifically for rising to a high place, like the sun, moon, or climbing a mountain. Implies upward movement toward a peak.
太陽が東から昇る。
The sun rises in the east.
Used for smoke, steam, or mist rising and spreading upward. Often has a literary or descriptive feel.
湯気が立ち上っている。
Steam is rising.
To rise to the surface or emerge upward, like a balloon or a feeling. Emphasizes floating up.
風船が空に浮かび上がった。
The balloon rose into the sky.
Describing numbers, prices, rates, or intensity going up.
General verb for increase. Works for prices, temperature, volume, etc.
物価が上がっている。
Prices are rising.
Formal or technical term for a rise in numbers, rates, or levels. Common in news and reports.
失業率が上昇した。
The unemployment rate rose.
To increase in number or quantity. More about count than level.
For intangible things like tension, interest, or awareness rising. Intransitive.
Describing something coming into existence, becoming known, or gaining power.
For a person, group, or power rising to prominence. Often used in political or social contexts.
新たなリーダーが台頭した。
A new leader rose to power.
To surface or emerge as a topic, candidate, or issue. Literally 'to float up'.
新たな問題が浮上した。
A new problem has arisen (risen).
To appear or emerge. Can be used for rising stars or new trends.
Physically getting up or standing up.
To stand up, rise to one's feet. Also used metaphorically for taking action.
彼は椅子から立ち上がった。
He rose from his chair.
To get up from a lying position, like getting out of bed or recovering from a fall.
Advancing in position, career, or social standing.
To be promoted, rise in rank within an organization.
彼は部長に昇進した。
He rose to the position of department manager.
To succeed in one's career, climb the ladder. More about worldly success.
彼は若くして出世した。
He rose to success at a young age.
Describing bread, cake, or dough expanding during baking or proofing.
To swell, expand, rise. Used for dough, balloons, etc.
パンがよく膨らんだ。
The bread rose well.
To ferment, which causes dough to rise. Technical term.
生地を発酵させる。
Let the dough rise (ferment).
上がる is the most general 'rise'. 昇る is for climbing or celestial bodies. 上る (same reading のぼる) is for going up stairs, slopes, or rivers, and is less about 'rising' as a phenomenon.
階段を上る。
Go up the stairs.
To rise from bed or a chair, use 起きる (get up) or 立ち上がる (stand up). 上がる does not mean 'to get up' from a lying/sitting position.
The population is rising.
期待が高まっている。
Expectations are rising.
新しい才能が現れた。
New talent has emerged (risen).
彼は倒れたが、すぐに起き上がった。
He fell but quickly rose again.