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攻め上る (せめのぼる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
march on the capital ; advance on the capital
Used in historical or military contexts for an army moving toward the capital to attack or seize it. Often appears in descriptions of feudal warfare or rebellions.
の
大だい
名みょう
が
京きょう
へ
攻せ
め
上のぼ
ろう
と
し
た
。
During the Warring States period, many feudal lords attempted to advance on Kyoto.
Written forms 攻せ め 上のぼ る Usage 62%
Standard kanji spelling for this verb.
攻せ めのぼる Usage 30%
Kana-spelling variant; may be used for clarity or in informal writing.
せめのぼる Usage 8%
攻せめ 上のぼ る
Abbreviated kanji form; less common.
せめ 上のぼ る
Mixed kana-kanji form; rarely used.
Kanji 攻 aggression, attack, criticize Similar words 攻せ める 攻める is a general transitive verb meaning 'to attack' or 'to assault'. 攻め上る specifically adds the direction of moving upward (often toward the capital) and is intransitive.
進しん 軍ぐん する 進軍する means 'to advance (of an army)' in a general sense. 攻め上る implies an advance with the specific goal of attacking the capital.
Etymology Compound of 攻め (continuative form of 攻める 'to attack') and 上る (のぼる 'to go up, ascend'). The 'up' direction historically refers to moving toward the capital (Kyoto), which was considered the center of the country.
