Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
To raise, to lift, to increase, to give (to others), or to finish/complete an action (when used as an auxiliary verb).
🎯 Primary Function
To express upward motion, an increase in degree, or the successful completion of an action.
📋 Grammar Structure
V-masu stem + 上げる (To finish/complete V)
N/A (This is a verb)
N/A (This is a verb)
上げない (agenai)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Used formally, but the ‘giving’ meaning is typically replaced by 差し上げる (sashiageru) for politeness.
Informal Situations
Commonly used in all its meanings, including ‘to give’ (あげる).
Written Language
Used extensively in business reports (e.g., 成績を上げる), academic papers, and general media.
Spoken Language
Highly common, especially in set phrases like 声を上げる (to raise one’s voice) or 手を上げる (to raise one’s hand).
💡 Common Applications
Physical Movement/Lifting
Used to describe the action of physically moving an object to a higher place.
Example: 重い荷物をトラックに上げる。
Increase or Improvement
Used to express the action of increasing a quantity, level, degree, or improving a condition/performance.
Example: 売り上げを上げるために努力する。
Completion of an Action (Auxiliary Verb)
Attached to the masu stem of another verb, it means ‘to finish doing V,’ often implying effort or thoroughness in completion.
Example: レポートを書き上げる。
Frequency
Very High
Difficulty
Intermediate (JLPT N3)
Tag:
Example Sentences
Example #1
質問がある人は手を上げてください。
Furigana: しつもんがあるひと は て を あげて ください。
Romaji: Shitsumon ga aru hito wa te o agete kudasai.
English: Please raise your hand if you have any questions.
Example #2
会社は来月、商品の値段を上げる予定だ。
Furigana: かいしゃ は らいげつ、しょうひん の ねだん を あげる よてい だ。
Romaji: Kaisha wa raigetsu, shōhin no nedan o ageru yotei da.
English: The company is planning to raise the price of the product next month.
Example #3
二日かけて、やっと本棚を組み立て上げた。
Furigana: ふつか かけて、やっと ほんだな を くみたてあげた。
Romaji: Futsuka kakete, yatto hondana o kumitate ageta.
English: I finally finished building the bookshelf after two days.
Example #4
彼女はいつも弟の宿題を手伝ってあげる。
Furigana: かのじょ は いつも おとうと の しゅくだい を てつだって あげる。
Romaji: Kanojo wa itsumo otōto no shukudai o tetsudatte ageru.
English: She always helps out her younger brother with his homework.
Example #5
もっとはっきり聞こえるように、声を少し上げたほうがいい。
Furigana: もっと はっきり きこえる ように、こえ を すこし あげた ほうが いい。
Romaji: Motto hakkiri kikoeru yō ni, koe o sukoshi ageta hō ga ī.
English: You should speak up a little more so I can hear you clearly.
Example #6
その政治家は選挙前に、支持率を大きく上げた。
Furigana: その せいじか は せんきょ まえ に、しじりつ を のばす こと が でき た。
Romaji: Sono seijika wa senkyo mae ni, shijiritsu o ōkiku ageta.
English: The politician managed to boost his approval ratings before the election.
Example #7
必要な書類を窓口に持っていく（上げてくる）。
Furigana: ひつよう な しょるい を まどぐち に もって あげる。
Romaji: Hitsuyō na shorui o madoguchi ni motte iku (agete kuru).
English: I will go submit the necessary documents to the counter.
Example #8
シェフは野菜を揚げ終えて、テーブルに出した。
Furigana: シェフ は やさい を あげおわって、テーブル に だし た。
Romaji: Shefu wa yasai o ageowatte, tēburu ni dashita.
English: The chef finished frying the vegetables and served them.
Example #9
もう月が空に高く上がっている。
Furigana: もう つき が そら に たかく のぼっている (あがっている)。
Romaji: Mō tsuki ga sora ni takaku agatte iru.
English: The moon is already high in the sky. (Intransitive: 上がる, but often used in context of “lifting gaze”)
Example #10
警察はその地域の交通規制を解除した（上げた）。
Furigana: けいさつ は その ちいき の こうつう きせい を かいじょし た。
Romaji: Keisatsu wa sono chiiki no kōtsū kisei o kaijo shita (ageta).
English: The police lifted the traffic restrictions in the area.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Auxiliary Verb Function (V-masu + 上げる)
When used as V-masu + 上げる, it emphasizes that the action (V) is fully completed, often suggesting the task was difficult or required effort.
Example: 仕事をやり上げる。 (To finish the job completely.)
Transitivity (上げる vs. 上がる)
This verb is transitive. It must always have an object (marked by the particle を) that is being moved up or increased.
Example: 価格を上げる。 (To raise the price.)
Metaphorical Uses (Submission/Transfer)
上げる is often used metaphorically for actions like uploading data, submitting reports, or offering prayers/suggestions.
Example: 上の方にファイルを上げる。 (To upload the file to the top/server.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ 窓が自動で上げました。(The window raised automatically.)
✅ Use 上がる (agaru) for the intransitive form.
Beginners often confuse the transitive 上げる (ageru) with the intransitive 上がる (agaru). Remember 上げる requires an object (を).
❌ 先生にプレゼントを上げました。
✅ Use 差し上げる (sashiageru) or other honorifics.
Using あげる to describe giving something to a superior (e.g., boss, teacher) is impolite. 差し上げる is the correct humble form.
❌ 読むあげる (yomu ageru)
✅ The auxiliary use always requires the V-masu stem.
The auxiliary function V-masu + 上げる must use the masu stem, not the plain form (V-ru).
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral/Standard. Be careful with the ‘giving’ context, which requires humility (謙譲語 – kenjōgo) toward superiors.
Social Situations: The ‘giving’ context (あげる) is typically reserved for giving to one’s own group members, subordinates, or animals/plants, or as a general neutral term. Avoid using it directly to a stranger or superior.
Regional Variations: The core meaning is consistent nationwide. Subtle differences in usage may exist, but the standard Japanese use is pervasive.
🔍 Subtle Differences
上げる (ageru) vs. 差し上げる (sashiageru)
差し上げる is the humble form (謙譲語) of 上げる, specifically used when giving something to a superior or someone of higher social standing.
When to use: Use 差し上げる in formal or business settings toward superiors. Use 上げる in general or informal settings, or towards subordinates.
上げる (ageru) vs. くれる (kureru) vs. もらう (morau)
上げる means ‘I give to X.’ くれる means ‘X gives to me/us.’ もらう means ‘I receive from X.’ They define the direction of the giving/receiving action.
When to use: Use 上げる when the action is directed *away* from the speaker toward someone else.
📝 Conjugation Notes
上げる is a Group 2 (Ichidan/Ru-verb). Its base form is 上げる, the stem is 上げ (age-), and the polite form is 上げます (agemasu). It is highly regular.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The ‘ge’ sound in あげる is typically a voiced stop (g) and should not be confused with the vowel combination ‘a-e’ or similar sounds.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of the English phrase “finish up.” The ‘age’ (上) part relates to “up.” So, 上げる is “to put UP” or “to finish UP.”
Other Grammar
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