起伏

• Reading: きふく
• Romaji: kifuku
• Kanji breakdown: 起 (ki) — rise, get up; 伏 (fuku) — lie down, prostrate
• Pronunciation: /ki.ɸɯ.kɯ/

Meaning

Undulation; ups and downs. Variations in height of terrain or fluctuations in events.

A suru-verb describing wave-like rises and falls. Used concretely for terrain (hilly landscape) and figuratively for emotional or narrative ups and downs. The phrase 起伏に富む (rich in ups and downs) is a common set expression for both landscapes and stories.

Examples

1. この地形は起伏が激しくてハイキングには大変だ。 The terrain here is very hilly, making it tough for hiking.
2. 彼女の人生は起伏に富んでいた。 Her life was full of ups and downs.
3. 起伏のある道を自転車で走るのは疲れる。 Riding a bike on an undulating road is exhausting.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, narrative, life experiences

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 起 (rise) + 伏 (lie down, fall). The pairing of opposites — rising and falling — captures the essence of undulation.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal