Meaning and Usage
The verb 仰ぐ (あおぐ) primarily means "to look up to" someone, often implying respect or admiration. It can also mean "to seek guidance or help" from a person in authority or expertise. Additionally, it literally means "to look up" physically, such as looking up at the sky.
Common Contexts
- Respect or admiration: 仰ぐ is used when expressing reverence towards a teacher, mentor, or someone you admire.
- Seeking advice or support: It is common to use 仰ぐ when you want to indicate relying on someone’s authority or knowledge.
- Literal looking up: Used in everyday descriptions of looking upward, often at the sky or ceiling.
Collocations and Patterns
- 師匠を仰ぐ (to look up to a master): expressing respect and admiration.
- 上司を仰ぐ (to seek guidance from a boss): indicating reliance on authority.
- 空を仰ぐ (to look up at the sky): literal physical action.
Register and Nuance
仰ぐ is a formal and somewhat literary verb, often found in written or polite speech rather than casual conversation. When used to mean "to seek guidance," it implies respect and formality towards the person being consulted.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 仰ぐ with 見上げる, which also means "to look up." However, 見上げる is purely physical, while 仰ぐ carries additional meanings of respect or seeking help. Use 仰ぐ when you want to express admiration or reliance, and 見上げる for simple physical looking up.