Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 9: 5/22

上(あ)がる

Something is finished, To finish something, Something has come to an end, To do something completely, To do something through

上がる is intransitive, 上げる is transitive

Structure

（Noun + が） + Verb ［ます］ + 上(あ)がる
（Noun + を） + Verb ［ます］ + 上(あ)げる

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About 上がる・上げる

When used after the conjunctive form of a verb, either of the verbs 上(あ)げる 'to raise', or 上(あ)がる 'to rise' may be used. They will convey that something has been done 'to the limit'. 上(あ)がる will be used for actions that take place by themselves (intransitive), while 上(あ)げる will be used for actions that have an instigator (transitive).
Although 上(あ)げる and 上(あ)がる show that something has been done 'to the limit', the nuance is usually 'to do (A) to the point of completion', or 'to do (A) through to the end'. Therefore, the 'limit' that is being highlighted is usually a natural ending, and not due to running out of some kind of resource. Let's have a look at some examples.
  • レポートは書(か)きあがった？
    Did you finish writing the paper?
  • この炊飯器(すいはんき)を使(つか)えば20分(ぷん)でご飯(はん)が炊(た)きあがるよ。
    If you use this rice cooker, your rice will finish cooking in 20 minutes.
  • 明日(あした)の朝(あさ)までに書(か)き上(あ)げるのは無理(むり)かな？頑張(がんば)らなきゃ。
    Is it impossible to finish up writing this paper by tomorrow? I should give it my all.
  • 彼(かれ)は砂(すな)を使(つか)って小(ちい)さな街(まち)を作(つく)り上(あ)げた。
    He used sand to build up a small city.
上(あ)げる and 上(あ)がる are most commonly used when some kind of effect or product is produced as a result of the (A) action. In these cases, the literal meaning of 'to (A) up' is very similar to 'to finish up (A)' in English.
  • 彼(かれ)の作品(さくひん)は5分(ふん)で書(か)きあがる。
    His pieces are drawn up in 5 minutes.
  • 古(ふる)いコンピューターは立(た)ち上(あ)がるのに10分(ぷん)かかる。
    It takes an old computer 10 minutes to finish up booting.
Caution
仕上(しあ)がる is a very common expression that is used for many things. Usually it conveys that something has been completed after some involved or time consuming process.
  • ラッピングが仕上(しあ)がったら番号(ばんごう)でお呼(よ)びします。
    We will call you by your number once we finish wrapping it.
  • あれはどんな風(ふう)に仕上(しあ)がるかな。
    I wonder how that will be completed.

Examples

  • ところで、やっと絵(え)が描(えが)きあがったよ。

    By the way, the picture has finally been completely painted.

  • その日(ひ)のうちに部屋(へや)の壁(かべ)を塗(ぬ)り上(あ)げた。

    I finished painting the room walls before the day was over.

  • 作品(さくひん)が仕(し)上(あ)がる。

    The piece will be finished.

  • なんとかドレスを縫(ぬ)い上(あ)げました。

    I have somehow managed to finish sewing the dress.

  • ご飯(はん)が炊(た)き上(あ)がる。

    The rice will finish up cooking.

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上がる・上げる – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (12 in total)

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    I like the new, more consistent nuance hints, but it seems that some of these are excessively wordy. For example, this one shows up on my phone as a wall of text, almost completely pushing out the original question. Maybe the hint could focus on the key words for the grammar point, for the purpose of triggering the memory of a particular grammar point, instead of creating a detailed teaching lesson on one screen.
    In this case, I think you only need the following (I highlighted the key trigger words for each grammar point, but I’m not suggesting making it bold like that):

    • 切る implies things are completely used up or something has come to a complete end. Think of a grammar point that implies that something is produced, built, or baked to completion.
      ( → “oh! あげる”)

  • Pablunpro

    Pablunpro

    Hi!

    One of the example sentences that accompany this grammar point is this:

    レポートは書きあがった？

    However, as writing a report is an “action that has an instigator”, wouldn’t the sentence rather be:

    レポートを書きあげた？

    If not, why would 上がる be used in this instance?

    Thank you for your consideration.
    良い一日を

  • IcyIceBear

    IcyIceBear

    I think it’s just a difference of “the report has been finished” vs “I finished the report”

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