Translation guide
How to express 'start up' in Japanese, covering starting engines, machines, computers, businesses, and more.
To cause an engine, motor, or mechanical device to begin operating.
Used for starting engines, especially in vehicles. Often used with エンジンを.
エンジンをかける。
Start the engine.
More technical term for starting a machine or engine. Often used in manuals.
機械を始動する。
Start up the machine.
Common for starting up computers, software, or electronic devices.
パソコンを起動する。
Start up the computer.
To boot up or power on a computer, smartphone, or similar electronic device.
Standard term for booting up a computer or launching an application.
コンピューターを起動するのに時間がかかる。
It takes time to start up the computer.
Literally 'stand up', used for booting a computer or launching a program. Slightly more casual.
システムを立ち上げる。
Start up the system.
Literally 'put in the power', meaning to turn on a device. More general than just booting.
まず電源を入れてください。
First, please start up (turn on) the device.
To establish or launch a new company, venture, or initiative.
Commonly used for launching a new business, project, or website. Implies getting something off the ground.
新しい会社を立ち上げる。
Start up a new company.
Specifically means to start a business or become an entrepreneur. More formal.
彼はIT企業を起業した。
He started up an IT company.
General verb for 'to start'. Can be used for businesses or projects, but less specific than 立ち上げる.
To begin moving or doing something abruptly, often with energy.
Describes something suddenly starting to move. Often used for people or animals.
彼は急に動き出した。
He suddenly started up (began moving).
Literally 'jump up', used when someone starts up from sleep or a resting position.
彼はベッドから飛び起きた。
He started up from the bed.
Both mean 'to start up' a computer or system. 起動する is slightly more formal and technical, while 立ち上げる is more casual and often used in business contexts for launching projects or systems.
システムを起動する
Start up the system (technical)
新規事業を立ち上げる
Launch a new business
The loanword スタートアップ (sutātoappu) is mainly used for startup companies. It is not used for starting engines or computers.
彼はスタートアップで働いている。
He works at a startup.
今朝、車のエンジンがかからなかった。
I couldn't start up my car this morning.
彼女は自分のビジネスを立ち上げた。
She started up her own business.
そのコンピューターは起動に時間がかかる。
The computer takes a long time to start up.
新しいプロジェクトを始める。
Start up a new project.