Translation guide
The English word 'upgrading' can refer to improving the quality or performance of something, replacing with a newer or better version, or raising the status or rank of a person or thing. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings.
スマホを買い替えます。
I'm upgrading my phone.
ソフトウェアをアップグレードしてください。
Upgrade the software.
Making something better, more powerful, or more effective, such as a product, system, or skill.
A loanword from English, commonly used for software, hardware, or services. It implies replacing or enhancing to a higher version.
ソフトウェアをアップグレードする。
I upgrade the software.
Literally 'performance improvement'. Used in technical or business contexts to describe enhancing capabilities.
このエンジンは性能向上が図られている。
This engine has been upgraded for better performance.
Means 'improvement' or 'refinement'. Often used for making incremental upgrades to products or processes.
製品を改良する。
We upgrade the product.
A wasei-eigo term meaning to raise the grade or level, often used for services or personal skills.
会員ランクをグレードアップする。
I upgrade my membership rank.
Swapping an existing item for a superior model, such as a phone, computer, or subscription.
Literally 'buy and replace'. The most natural way to say you are upgrading a device by purchasing a new one.
スマホを買い替える。
I'm upgrading my smartphone.
A general phrase meaning 'to make new' or 'to renew'. Can be used for upgrading by replacement.
パソコンを新しくする。
I'm upgrading my computer.
Elevating someone's position, title, or class, such as a job promotion or service tier.
Means 'promotion' in rank or status. Used for job positions, membership levels, etc.
彼は部長に昇格した。
He was upgraded to department manager.
Literally 'raising the rank'. Often used for upgrading the status of something, like a facility or title.
The English word 'upgrade' is often directly borrowed as アップグレード, but it is not always the most natural choice. For physical items like phones or cars, 買い替える (buy and replace) is more common. For performance improvements, 性能向上 or 改良 may be better in formal contexts.
Wasei-eigo for 'version up', meaning to upgrade to a newer version, especially software.
アプリをバージョンアップする。
I upgrade the app to the latest version.
ホテルのランクを格上げする。
We upgrade the hotel's rating.
Also used for status upgrades, like flight classes or membership tiers, similar to English.
ビジネスクラスにアップグレードする。
I upgrade to business class.