Jisho only lists the different kanji that can be used for this verb, but it doesn’t delve into the nuances behind when or why you’d use one over the other, and I’m having trouble finding any information about this on Google.
上る is the common one, just means you’re going upwards, something is being raised upwards, something is increasing etc and has the broadest application
階段を上る、死者は10人に上った、上り列車 (train heading to a big city)
登る is increasing altitude with effort e.g. climbing a mountain
山を登る
昇る is when something rises high up in the sky the 日 in the kanji is a clue
天に昇る
Same reason we have climb, ascend, rise up, etc.
For doubts like this one, I have always found it useful to reference 明鏡国語辞典. For words that can be represented by multiple kanji, not only each definition has the appropriate kanji for that usage, but it usually also contains a 「表記」 section that explains briefly but clearly when each kanji should be used. [Example pic for のぼる](https://i.imgur.com/eqlucn0.png).
In my notes, I have it written like this:
上る : To go up (General)
登る : To climb (Mountain, ladder, wall, etc)
昇る : To ascend/rise (Sun/Moon, elevator, rank, etc)
That’s just the way it is and what they chose. I know Imma get downvoted but not much to explain to why there are many reading for that kanji
5 comments
上る is the common one, just means you’re going upwards, something is being raised upwards, something is increasing etc and has the broadest application
階段を上る、死者は10人に上った、上り列車 (train heading to a big city)
登る is increasing altitude with effort e.g. climbing a mountain
山を登る
昇る is when something rises high up in the sky the 日 in the kanji is a clue
天に昇る
Same reason we have climb, ascend, rise up, etc.
For doubts like this one, I have always found it useful to reference 明鏡国語辞典. For words that can be represented by multiple kanji, not only each definition has the appropriate kanji for that usage, but it usually also contains a 「表記」 section that explains briefly but clearly when each kanji should be used. [Example pic for のぼる](https://i.imgur.com/eqlucn0.png).
In my notes, I have it written like this:
上る : To go up (General)
登る : To climb (Mountain, ladder, wall, etc)
昇る : To ascend/rise (Sun/Moon, elevator, rank, etc)
That’s just the way it is and what they chose. I know Imma get downvoted but not much to explain to why there are many reading for that kanji