上(のぼ)り坂(ざか)

のぼりざか
noun
uphill slope; upward trend
geography
1. uphill slope; upward incline
A road or path that goes upward. The physical sense of a slope that ascends.
この先(さき)は上(のぼ)り坂(ざか)だ。
It's uphill from here.
急(きゅう)な上(のぼ)り坂(ざか)を自転車(じてんしゃ)で登(のぼ)るのは大変(たいへん)だ。
Cycling up a steep uphill slope is tough.
駅(えき)までずっと上(のぼ)り坂(ざか)が続(つづ)くので、歩(ある)くと汗(あせ)をかく。
The uphill slope continues all the way to the station, so I break a sweat when I walk.
2. upward trend; on the rise
Figuratively, a phase of improvement, growth, or increasing success in one's career, health, or other endeavors.
景気(けいき)は上(のぼ)り坂(ざか)だ。
The economy is on the upswing.
あの選手(せんしゅ)はまだ上(のぼ)り坂(ざか)で、これからもっと活躍(かつやく)するだろう。
That athlete is still on the rise and will likely achieve even more.
病気(びょうき)から回復(かいふく)して、体力(たいりょく)は上(のぼ)り坂(ざか)に向(む)かっている。
After recovering from illness, my stamina is on an upward trend.

Usage

In the literal sense, 上(のぼ)り坂(ざか) refers to a physical uphill slope. In the figurative sense, it describes something improving or gaining momentum, the opposite of 下(くだ)り坂(ざか).

Common collocations

Similar words

下(くだ)り坂(ざか) is the antonym, meaning downhill slope or decline.

Related Words

Antonym: 下(くだ)り坂(ざか) (downhill, decline)
Related: 坂道(さかみち) (slope)
Compare: 急坂(きゅうざか) (steep slope)
general
Added 2026.3.12 14:10 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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