Translation guide
Describes the action of directing one's gaze or eyes toward a higher position. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with verbs like 見上げる (to look up at) or phrases using 上 (up/upward). The choice depends on what is being looked at and the nuance of the action.
Expressing the physical action of tilting one's head back and directing the eyes upward to see something above.
The most common and natural verb for 'look up at'. It implies intentionally directing your gaze upward at something specific, like the sky, a tall building, or a person on a higher floor.
Describing the simple motion of moving the eyes or head upward, often briefly or without focusing on a particular thing.
Literally 'raise one's eyes'. Used when someone looks up from what they were doing, like from a book or work.
彼女は本から目を上げた。
She looked up from her book.
見上げる emphasizes looking at a specific object above you with a sense of admiration or attention. 上を見る is more neutral and simply indicates the direction of looking up. Use 見上げる for scenic views or impressive sights, and 上を見る for instructions or casual glances.
The English phrase 'look up' can also mean to search for information (e.g., look up a word). In Japanese, that is 調べる (しらべる) or 検索する (けんさくする), not related to upward gaze. This entry only covers the physical action of looking upward.
He looked up at the starry sky.
子供たちは飛行機を見上げていた。
The children were looking up at the airplane.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'look up' or 'look at the top/above'. It can be used when the direction is more important than a specific object, or when giving simple instructions.
上を見てください。
Please look up.
彼は驚いて上を見た。
He looked up in surprise.
A more literary or formal verb meaning 'look up at', often with a nuance of reverence or admiration. Commonly used in set phrases like 天を仰ぐ (look up to heaven).
彼は天を仰いでため息をついた。
He looked up to heaven and sighed.
Literally 'raise one's face'. Implies lifting the head to look forward or upward, often after looking down.
彼は顔を上げて私を見た。
He looked up and saw me.
Means 'to gaze into the distance' or 'look off toward'. When combined with 上 (up), it can mean looking upward into the distance, but it's less common for simple upward glances.
彼は遠くの山々を見やった。
He gazed up at the distant mountains.