上がる
Something is finished, To finish something, Something has come to an end, To do something completely, To do something through
Structure
（Noun + を） + Verb ［stem］ + 上げる
Explanation
When appended to the conjunctive form of a verb, you can use either 上げる 'to raise' or 上がる 'to rise'. These auxiliary verbs indicate that an action has been brought to its conclusion. 上がる is used for actions that occur on their own (intransitive), whereas 上げる is for actions carried out by someone (transitive).
While 上げる and 上がる can mean doing something 'to the limit', the feeling is more about 'seeing (A) through to completion' or 'finishing (A) all the way'. The 'limit' being referred to is typically the natural end point of a process, rather than the depletion of a resource. Let's look at some examples.
- このケーキを一人で作り上げたの？Did you manage to make this entire cake by yourself?
- パンがもうすぐ焼きあがるよ。The bread will be done baking soon.
- 一日でこのセーターを編み上げるのは難しい。It's difficult to finish knitting this sweater in one day.
- 彼はついに自分の家を建て上げた。He finally finished building his own house.
上げる and 上がる are frequently used when an action results in the creation of a tangible product or effect. In these situations, the literal sense of 'to (A) up' is quite similar to the English expressions 'to finish up (A)' or 'to do (A) up'.
- 注文したピザがもう出来あがった。The pizza I ordered is ready now.
- お風呂が沸き上がるまで少し待ってください。Please wait a moment until the bath has finished heating up.
Caution
仕上がる is an extremely common phrase used for a wide variety of situations. It generally implies that something has reached its final state after a somewhat involved or lengthy process.
- 写真の現像が仕上がったら、ご連絡します。We will contact you once the photos are finished developing.
- この絵はどんな色に仕上がるんだろう。I wonder what colors this painting will end up with.
Examples
もうすぐ晩ご飯ができ上がるから、手を洗ってきて。
Dinner will be ready soon, so go and wash your hands.
彼の誕生日のために、マフラーを編み上げた。
I finished knitting a scarf for his birthday.
ちょうどパンが焼き上がったところだよ。
The bread has just finished baking.
締め切りまでにレポートを仕上げなければならない。
I have to finish up this report by the deadline.
パーティーは夜遅くまで盛り上がった。
The party was really lively until late at night.
チーム全員で戦略を練り上げた。
The whole team worked together to hammer out a strategy.
餃子が蒸し上がったら、熱いうちにどうぞ。
Once the gyoza are steamed, please have them while they're hot.
彼女は女手ひとつで三人の子供を育て上げた。
She raised three children all by herself.
やっと欲しかった家具が組み上がった。
The furniture I wanted has finally been assembled.
彼は厳しいトレーニングで体を鍛え上げた。
He built up his body through rigorous training.
このセーターは、一週間で編み上がった。
This sweater was finished in a week.
彼は生涯をかけてこの傑作を創り上げた。
He spent his entire life creating this masterpiece.