うなぎ登のぼり

う

な

ぎ

の

ぼ

り

JLPTN1

Meanings

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

soaring; skyrocketing; rising rapidly

Used for prices, popularity, or statistics that climb steeply, like an eel swimming upward. Often used with 〜する or as 〜の.

新しん製せい品ひんの人にん気きはうなぎ登のぼりだ。
The popularity of the new product is skyrocketing.
物ぶっ価かがうなぎ登のぼりに上あがっている。
Prices are soaring rapidly.

See all 9 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉がうなぎ登のぼりに上あがるfor something to keep rising sharply
彼かれの人にん気きがうなぎ登のぼりに上あがっている。
His popularity is skyrocketing.
〈物もの〉がうなぎ登のぼりだfor something to be soaring/rising rapidly
最さい近きん、物ぶっ価かがうなぎ登のぼりだ。
Prices have been skyrocketing lately.
うなぎ登のぼりに〈動どう詞し〉to increase/rise steeply (used to modify a verb of increasing)
この店みせの売うり上あげはうなぎ登のぼりに増ふえている。
This shop's sales are rapidly climbing.

Kanji

登ascend, climb up
上above, up
鰻eel
昇rise up

Related words

急きゅう上じょう昇しょうN2
急上昇 is a neutral, formal term for a sharp rise, while うなぎ登り is a vivid, colloquial image of something climbing steeply like an eel.
高こう騰とう
高騰 is used specifically for prices or market values shooting up, whereas うなぎ登り can also describe popularity, rankings, or statistics rising steeply.
急きゅう増ぞうN2
急増 focuses on a rapid increase in quantity or numbers, while うなぎ登り emphasizes the steady, unstoppable upward trend often used for prices or fame.
急きゅう騰とう
急騰 describes a sudden, sharp jump usually in stock prices or costs, while うなぎ登り suggests a continuous, steady climb rather than a single spike.

Written forms

うなぎ登のぼりUsage14%
Most common kanji spelling; uses 登る (to climb).
うなぎのぼりUsage38%
Kana spelling; often used when the kanji are not needed or for clarity.
うなぎ上のぼりUsage21%
Variant using 上る (to rise).
ウナギ登のぼりUsage10%
search-only kanji form
鰻うなぎ登のぼりUsage5%
Uses the full kanji for eel (鰻), which is less common.
鰻うなぎ上のぼりUsage5%
Rare variant with full kanji for eel and 上る.
うなぎ昇のぼりUsage5%
search-only kanji form
ウナギ昇のぼりUsage2%
search-only kanji form

Etymology

Literally 'eel climbing', from the image of an eel swimming straight up a river or waterfall. The exact origin is uncertain, but it vividly conveys rapid, unimpeded upward movement.