Translation guide
The English phrasal verb "stick up" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: to protrude, to attach to a vertical surface, to rob someone, and a few other niche meanings.
Describing something that is pointing up or sticking out from a surface.
General verb for something sticking out or protruding. Can be used for objects, body parts, etc.
釘が壁から突き出ている。
A nail is sticking out of the wall.
彼の耳が帽子から突き出ていた。
His ears were sticking out from under his hat.
Emphasizes something popping or jutting out, often suddenly or noticeably.
シャツがズボンから飛び出ている。
Your shirt is sticking out of your pants.
Used for hair standing up or sticking up. Often in the phrase 髪が立つ (hair sticks up).
寝癖で髪があちこち立っている。
My hair is sticking up all over from bed head.
Putting something up on a wall, board, or other surface so it stays.
General verb for sticking or pasting something flat onto a surface (paper, posters, tape).
壁にポスターを貼った。
I stuck a poster up on the wall.
冷蔵庫にメモを貼っておいて。
Stick a note up on the fridge.
Similar to 貼る but often used for stretching or putting up something like a net, string, or tent. Can also be used for posters.
テントを張る。
To put up a tent.
To stick something up using a pin or thumbtack.
画鋲でポスターを壁に留めた。
I stuck the poster up on the wall with a thumbtack.
The criminal act of holding someone up to steal from them.
To commit a robbery (breaking into a place). For sticking up a person, use the next option.
銀行に強盗が入った。
The bank was stuck up.
To threaten someone with a gun to rob them. More specific to the 'stick up' scenario.
犯人は店員をピストルで脅して金を奪った。
The criminal stuck up the clerk and took the money.
A highway robber or mugger. The act of robbing someone on the street. More historical/literary.
Describing something that is upright or pointing upward, often used for hair or objects.
For hair standing on end (from fear, cold, etc.).
怖くて髪の毛が逆立った。
I was so scared my hair stuck up on end.
To support or defend a person or idea.
To side with someone, to take someone's side.
彼はいつも私の味方をしてくれる。
He always sticks up for me.
To protect or shield someone from harm or criticism.
姉は弟をかばった。
The older sister stuck up for her little brother.
While 'stick up' and 'stick out' can both mean protrude, 'stick up' specifically implies an upward direction. Use 上に突き出る (うえにつきでる) if you need to emphasize upward direction.
貼る is for sticking flat things with adhesive (stickers, tape). 張る is for stretching or putting up things like strings, nets, or tents. Both can be used for posters, but 貼る is more common for paper items.
旅人が追い剥ぎに遭った。
The traveler was stuck up by a robber.