How to say "climb" in Japanese

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  • 上るのぼるJLPT N5approx.Common
    godan verb, intransitive verbThis is the verb for 'climb': to ascend or go up something such as a mountain, stairs, or a ladder. Use it whenever 'climb' functions as a verb in your sentence.
    あなたは、上のぼれませんよ。↗
    You cannot climb!
  • 上りのぼりJLPT N2approx.Common
    nounThis is the noun form of the verb 上る: it names the ascent or the act of climbing itself — 'the climb was steep' — and can also refer to an ascending path.
    道みちはここからゆるやかな上のぼりだ。↗
    The road ascends gently here.

Use 「上る」 when 'climb' is a verb — the act of going up something; use 「上り」 when 'climb' is a noun: the ascent itself or an ascending path.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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