のぼせる

の

ぼ

せ

る

Common wordJLPTN1

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

feel dizzy; be flushed; have blood rush to one's head

usually written using kana alone

Physical sense, often from heat, a long bath, feverishness, or blood rushing to the head.

長なが風ぶ呂ろをしたら、少すこしのぼせてしまった。
After a long bath, I got a little dizzy and flushed.

2

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

lose one's cool; get worked up; lose one's head

usually written using kana alone

Figurative use for becoming emotionally overheated or unable to stay calm; somewhat less common than expressions like 冷静さを失う or 頭に血がのぼる.

彼かれは議ぎ論ろんが白はく熱ねつすると、すぐのぼせてしまう。
When the argument heats up, he quickly loses his cool.

3

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

be obsessed; be infatuated; be crazy about

usually written using kana alone

Used with に for being carried away by a person, hobby, game, or idea; often has a mildly critical tone.

彼かの女じょは若わかい俳はい優ゆうにのぼせている。
She is infatuated with a young actor.
最さい近きん、弟おとうとはオンラインゲームにのぼせている。
Lately my younger brother has been obsessed with online games.

4

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

become conceited; get full of oneself

usually written using kana alone

Figurative use for becoming smug or self-important after praise, success, or attention.

少すこし売うれたくらいでのぼせてはいけない。
You must not get conceited just because you have had a little success.

Written forms

Applies to each form listed below

gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun

のぼせるUsage96%
It is usually written in kana; this is the safest everyday spelling.
逆上のぼせるUsage4%
Attested kanji spelling with a special reading; understandable, but kana is generally preferred.
上の気ぼせる
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; use mainly as a recognition/search variant.

Kanji

逆inverted, reverse, opposite
上above, up
気spirit, mind, air

Similar words

湯ゆあたりする
Specifically means to feel ill from bathing or hot springs; のぼせる is broader and can also be figurative.
逆ぎゃく上じょうする
Means to fly into a rage or lose control from anger; のぼせる can mean losing composure but is less directly anger-focused.
夢む中ちゅうになる
A more neutral way to say someone is absorbed in something; のぼせる often sounds more excessive or critical.
うぬぼれる
Directly means to be conceited or vain; のぼせる can describe becoming conceited as one figurative extension.

Etymology

The exact historical derivation is uncertain. The meanings are naturally associated with something rising to the head, and the kanji spellings are conventional; the reading is usually written in kana.