# 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）: to finish doing ~

> Learn how to use 上げる・上がる, a JLPT N3 Japanese grammar point meaning to finish doing ~, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N3 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n3-ageru/

**上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）** means **to finish doing ~** when attached to a verb stem. It is a **JLPT N3** grammar pattern used to **express that something is brought to completion or fully done**.

This grammar point often appears in **neutral to formal contexts**. If you want to **say that an action is completed from start to finish**, **上げる（あげる）** and **上がる（あがる）** are useful to learn.

## What does 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる） mean?

Attach **上げる** or **上がる** to the stem of a verb to indicate that an action is thoroughly finished or completed. This is a compound verb pattern, not a standalone verb.

- **上げる (ageru)** — transitive: to finish doing something (someone actively completes it)
- **上がる (agaru)** — intransitive: to be finished, to be completed (something reaches completion)

Natural translations include:
- to finish doing ~
- to complete ~
- to be finished / completed

## How to form 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）

Verb (masu stem) + 上げる / 上がる

| Base verb | Stem form | Compound (finish doing) |
|-----------|-----------|----------------------------|
| 書く (to write) | 書き | 書き上げる (to finish writing) |
| 作る (to make) | 作り | 作り上げる (to complete, to create) |
| 出来る (to be done) | でき | 出来上がる (to be completed, to be finished) |
| 食べる (to eat) | 食べ | 食べ上げる (to finish eating) |
| 読む (to read) | 読み | 読み上げる (to read aloud / finish reading) |

Note: Not all verbs combine naturally with 上げる. It is commonly used with verbs of creation, production, or effort.

## When is 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる） used?

Use **上げる・上がる** in situations like:
- describing something being completed or finished after effort
- talking about projects, reports, novels, or products that are done
- mentioning that a plan or order has been fulfilled

Tone and register:
- neutral to formal
- Common in written reports, business emails, and academic contexts

## 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる） example sentences

- 彼女は小説を書き上げた。 — She finished writing her novel.
- この会社は新製品を作り上げた。 — This company has created a new product.
- みんなの意見を取り入れて、とてもいいプランが出来上がった。 — A very good plan was completed, incorporating the opinions of everyone.
- 研究のレポートを一日で書き上げた。 — I wrote my research report in one day.
- 出来上がった料理を、お客さんのところに運ぶのが私の仕事です。 — It is my job to bring the finished food to the customer.
- 注文していた年賀状が刷り上がった。 — The New Year's cards I ordered were finished printing.

## Nuance of 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）

The key nuance is **the action is thoroughly completed from start to finish**, often implying effort or a process.

This matters because **it emphasizes completion more than simple past tense does**. It suggests the speaker worked through the whole process and reached the end.

For example:
- 書いた (I wrote) is simple past.
- 書き上げた (I finished writing) emphasizes that the writing is complete — start to finish.
- 出来上がった (was completed) is passive/intransitive and stresses the result, not the doer.

## 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる） vs 終わる (owaru)

Both **上げる・上がる** and **[終わる](/blog/n4-owaru/)** can mean **to finish**, but they are different.

**上げる・上がる**:
- compound suffix attached to the verb stem
- implies thorough completion, often with effort or creation
- more formal, literary, or business-oriented
- 上がる is intransitive (something becomes finished); 上げる is transitive (actively finish doing)

**[終わる](/blog/n4-owaru/)**:
- standalone verb that means "to end" or "to finish"
- can be attached as 〜終わる (V-te + 終わる) to mean "finish doing"
- more general and commonly used in casual speech
- does not necessarily imply effort or completion of a project

Quick contrast:
- 映画が終わった。 — The movie ended. (simple)
- 小説を書き上げた。 — I finished writing the novel. (emphasizes completion of creative work)

## Common mistakes with 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）

Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using it as a standalone verb — it must be attached to a verb stem (e.g., 書き + 上げる)
- Confusing transitive 上げる (主动完成) with intransitive 上がる (自然完成 or 被动)
- Attaching it to verbs where completion is not emphasized (less common with simple actions like 見る or 聞く)
- Mistaking this for the N4 grammar 〜てあげる (to do something for someone as a favor)

## Is 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる） on the JLPT?

Yes. **上げる・上がる** as a compound verb suffix is commonly taught as **JLPT N3** grammar.

That means learners should be able to:
- recognize 〜上げる and 〜上がる in reading passages
- distinguish transitive 上げる from intransitive 上がる
- understand the nuance of thorough completion vs simple past tense
- use it correctly with an appropriate verb stem

## Practice questions for 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Say you finished writing a long email.
- Mention that a building was completed last month.
- Describe a company that finished developing a new app.

## Learning path for 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）

To learn **上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）** efficiently, review verb-stem compounds first, then notice whether the pattern stresses completion, excess, continuation, or a result.

1. First, make sure you can form **上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）** without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with [切る（きる）](/blog/n3-kiru/), [切れない（きれない）](/blog/n3-kirenai/). These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences about finishing projects, using something up, or actions continuing; then check whether replacing **上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）** with [直す（なおす）](/blog/n3-naosu/) changes the meaning.

## Related grammar to review next

- [切る（きる）](/blog/n3-kiru/) — because it is another compound or result-focused pattern for actions.
- [切れない（きれない）](/blog/n3-kirenai/) — because it is another compound or result-focused pattern for actions.
- [直す（なおす）](/blog/n3-naosu/) — because it is another compound or result-focused pattern for actions.
- [込む（こむ）](/blog/n3-komu/) — because it is another compound or result-focused pattern for actions.

## Learn 上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる） with Hane

If you want to review **上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N3 grammar lessons](/blog/n3/)