Meaning and Usage
"起伏" (きふく) refers to the ups and downs or undulations in physical terrain or abstract concepts like emotions or prices. It is often used to describe natural landscapes with hills and valleys, but also metaphorically for fluctuations in feelings or market values.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see 起伏 used in descriptions of geography, such as hills or uneven land. It also appears in discussions about emotional states or economic indicators, emphasizing variability or instability.
Collocations and Patterns
- 起伏が激しい: steep or intense undulations, often for terrain or emotions.
- 起伏がある: to have ups and downs, used for both physical and abstract contexts.
- 起伏を観察する: to observe fluctuations, common in financial or analytical contexts.
Register and Nuance
This word is formal and common in written and spoken Japanese, especially in academic, journalistic, or business contexts. It is neutral in politeness but tends to appear in more serious or descriptive language.
Learner Tips
Be careful not to confuse 起伏 with 升降 (しょうこう), which also means rise and fall but is more technical and less common in everyday speech. Use 起伏 when emphasizing natural or emotional fluctuations rather than mechanical or technical changes.