Japanese word of the day: 上る (Noboru)

What does 上る (Noboru) mean?

上る (Noboru) (verb, godan, intransitive) — To go up, to ascend, to climb, to rise. This verb is used for all kinds of upward movement, whether you’re climbing stairs, prices are going up, or the sun is rising. It can also mean to reach a total, to come up on an agenda, or to go to the capital (like Tokyo).

Kanji details for 上

Character: 上 — above, up
Radical: one 一

Example sentences with 上る (Noboru)

• 山に上るのが好きです。
  (Yama ni noboru no ga suki desu.)
  ⛰️ I like climbing mountains.

• エレベーターが上の階に上ります。
  (Erebētā ga ue no kai ni noborimasu.)
  🏢 The elevator goes up to the upper floor.

• 物価が上っている。
  (Bukka ga nobotte iru.)
  📈 Prices are rising.

Confused about how to conjugate 上る? Our conjugation tables can help.

上る (Noboru) in context

上る is a practical, everyday verb in Japanese, but here’s where things get interesting: there are actually several kanji for “noboru,” each with its own nuance and usage.

上る is the most general and widely used. Use it for going up stairs, slopes, elevators, or when numbers and prices rise, or when something comes up as a topic or on an agenda. It’s also used for going from the countryside to the capital, like “東京に上る” (to go up to Tokyo).

登る is used when you’re physically climbing something high with effort, like a mountain, tree, or steep slope. It emphasizes the act of climbing step by step, often with some struggle or intention—think “山に登る” (to climb a mountain).

昇る is used for things that rise naturally or move upward in the sky, like the sun, moon, smoke, or balloons. It also appears in contexts like rising to a higher rank or position.