Meaning and Usage
The verb 掲げる (かかげる) primarily means "to hoist" or "to raise" something physically, such as a flag or a sail. It also extends metaphorically to mean "to advocate" or "to proclaim" an idea, principle, or goal.
Common Contexts
You will often see 掲げる used when talking about raising flags during ceremonies or parades. Politically or socially, it is used to express publicly stating or promoting ideals, slogans, or policies.
Collocations and Patterns
- 国旗を掲げる: to hoist the national flag, used in formal or ceremonial contexts.
- 理念を掲げる: to advocate or proclaim an ideal or philosophy.
- スローガンを掲げる: to raise or adopt a slogan, often in business or political campaigns.
Register and Nuance
掲げる is a formal verb and often appears in written or formal spoken Japanese. It conveys a sense of pride or seriousness when raising something physically or metaphorically.
Common Learner Mistake
Do not confuse 掲げる with 挙げる (あげる), which also means "to raise" but is used in different contexts such as raising hands or listing items. 掲げる specifically implies displaying or proclaiming something publicly or visibly.