上向(うわむ)き

うわむき
noun
facing upward; upward trend
1. facing upward; pointed up
Physically oriented with the top side or opening pointing up. Used for objects, postures, and body parts.
コップを上向(うわむ)きに置(お)く。
Place the cup facing up.
手(て)のひらを上向(うわむ)きにしてください。
Please turn your palm upward.
薬(くすり)は上向(うわむ)きの瓶(びん)に入(い)れて保管(ほかん)してください。
Store the medicine in an upright bottle.
2. upward trend; improving; on the rise
Figuratively used for prices, the economy, business performance, or mood that is improving or rising.
景気(けいき)は上向(うわむ)きだ。
The economy is on an upward trend.
売(う)り上(あ)げが上向(うわむ)きになってきた。
Sales are starting to pick up.
長(なが)い不況(ふきょう)の後(あと)、ようやく経済(けいざい)が上向(うわむ)きになる兆(きざ)しが見(み)えてきた。
After a long recession, there are finally signs that the economy is turning upward.

Compound of 上(うわ)/上(うえ) (up) + 向(む)き (direction/facing). Used both literally (physical orientation) and figuratively (economic or emotional upturn). The figurative sense is especially common in business and news.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 上向(うわむ)きになる: to turn upward; to start improving
  • 景気(けいき)上向(うわむ)き: economic upturn
  • 上向(うわむ)き傾向(けいこう): upward trend
  • 上向(うわむ)き加減(かげん): slightly tilted upward

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 下向(したむ)き: facing down; downward trend (antonym)
  • 上昇(じょうしょう): rising; ascent — more formal, used for prices, temperatures, etc.
  • 回復(かいふく): recovery — used when something returns from a worse state
general
Added 2026.5.12 13:10
27000/27459_uwamuki