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上り坂 (のぼりざか, noborizaka) Japanese meaning: ascent | Kotomora

上のぼり坂ざか

の

ぼ

り

ざ

か

Meanings

1

ascent; uphill slope

Refers to a physical upward slope, such as a road or path. Often contrasted with 下り坂 (downhill).

See also: 下り坂

この道みちはしばらく上のぼり坂ざかが続つづきます。

This road continues uphill for a while.

自じ転てん車しゃで上のぼり坂ざかを登のぼるのは大たい変へんだ。

It's tough to go up a hill on a bicycle.

2

upturn; increase; upward trend

Metaphorical use for a gradual improvement or rising trend, often in economic or statistical contexts.

景けい気きはようやく上のぼり坂ざかに差さし掛かかった。
The economy has finally started to pick up.
売うり上あげは上のぼり坂ざかにある。
Sales are on an upward trend.

Usage patterns

上のぼり坂ざかにかかるto come to an uphill slope
この道みちはここから上のぼり坂ざかにかかる。
This road starts climbing uphill from here.
〈事こと〉が上のぼり坂ざかになるfor something to enter an upward trend
景けい気きが上のぼり坂ざかになってきた。
The economy has started to pick up.
上のぼり坂ざかを上のぼるto climb an uphill slope
自じ転てん車しゃで上のぼり坂ざかを上のぼるのは大たい変へんだ。
Climbing an uphill slope on a bicycle is tough.
上のぼり坂ざかにあるto be on an upward trend
会かい社しゃの業ぎょう績せきは上のぼり坂ざかにある。
The company's performance is on the rise.

Kanji

上above, up
坂slope, incline, hill
登ascend, climb up
昇rise up

Related words

傾けい斜しゃN1sense 1
傾斜 is a general technical term for any slope or gradient, whereas 上り坂 specifically means a slope one climbs upward.
上じょう昇しょうN2sense 2
上昇 is the abstract term for a rise or increase in figures, while 上り坂 keeps the image of gradually climbing toward improvement.
好こう転てんN1sense 2
好転 emphasizes a sudden turn for the better, while 上り坂 suggests a steady, ongoing upward trend like climbing a hill.

Opposites

下くだり坂ざか
上り坂 describes an uphill slope or an improving trend, while 下り坂 describes a downhill slope or a declining trend.

Don't confuse with

坂さか道みち
上り坂 specifically means an uphill slope, while 坂道 can refer to either an uphill or downhill road.

Built from

登のぼる+坂さか

Written forms

上のぼり坂ざかUsage67%
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency in news and general use.
登のぼり坂ざかUsage25%
Alternative kanji spelling, less common but still seen.
のぼり坂ざかUsage5%
search-only kanji form
Search-only kanji form; not a standard spelling.
昇のぼり坂ざか

Etymology

Compound of 上り (のぼり, 'ascending') + 坂 (さか, 'slope'). The reading のぼりざか is a standard rendaku form.

Usage2%

search-only kanji form

Search-only kanji form; not a standard spelling.