1.
to look up at
To raise one's eyes to look at something higher than oneself, such as the sky, a tall building, or a person's face.
空を見上げた。
I looked up at the sky.
星を見上げている。
I am looking up at the stars.
子供が父親の顔を見上げた。
The child looked up at the father's face.
高いビルを見上げると、首が痛くなる。
When I look up at tall buildings, my neck starts to hurt.
桜の木を見上げると、花びらが風に舞っていた。
When I looked up at the cherry tree, petals were dancing in the wind.
2.
to admire, to look up to
To regard someone or something with respect and admiration (figurative use).
彼の勇気は見上げたものだ。
His courage is admirable.
[Note: 見上げたもの is a set expression meaning 'something admirable']
見上げた根性だ。
That's admirable spirit.
あんなに頑張るなんて、見上げたものだ。
Working that hard is really admirable.
一人で家族を支えているとは、見上げた人だ。
Supporting a family alone — what an admirable person.
困っている人を助ける彼女の姿は見上げたものだ。
The way she helps people in trouble is truly admirable.
見上げる is a transitive verb (他動詞) meaning to look upward at something.
COMPOUND STRUCTURE:
- 見る (to see) + 上げる (to raise) → to raise one's gaze
ASPECT (ている):
見上げている indicates an ongoing action of looking up.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 空を見上げる (look up at the sky)
- 星を見上げる (look up at the stars)
- 顔を見上げる (look up at someone's face)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 見下ろす: opposite meaning (to look down at)
- 仰ぐ: more literary/formal way to express looking up
[Register: Neutral]
Related Words
Antonym:
見下ろす (opposite direction of gaze)