To make something stand up; to set up or erect (e.g. a tent, building, sign).
キャンプ場でテントを立てるのを手伝った。
I helped set up the tent at the campsite.
祖父は村に小さな家を立てた。
My grandfather built a small house in the village.
ポスターを壁に立てて、イベントの場所がわかるようにした。
I put up a poster on the wall so people could find the event location.
To thrust or stick something into (to thrust into; to bury into).
釘を板に立てるときは、まっすぐ刺さるように気をつけて。
Be careful to drive the nail straight when you put it into the board.
彼はナイフを地面に立てて、自分の位置を示した。
He stuck the knife into the ground to mark his position.
支柱を地中に立てる作業は、二人でやると楽だ。
Setting a post into the ground is easier with two people.
To make (a noise), start (a rumor), raise (a cloud of dust), or otherwise cause something to occur.
彼のせいで大きな騒ぎを立ててしまった。
Because of him we caused a big commotion.
走ると砂ぼこりを立てるので、静かに歩いてください。
When you run you kick up dust, so please walk quietly.
そんな噂を立てるのはやめなさい。
Stop starting that kind of rumor.
To make, establish, or formulate (plans, policies, goals, etc.).
来年度の事業計画を立てる会議が明日ある。
There is a meeting tomorrow to draw up next year's business plan.
旅行のスケジュールを立ててから出発しよう。
Let's make a travel schedule before we leave.
目標を立て、それに向かって毎日努力することが大切だ。
It's important to set goals and work toward them every day.
To nominate or put forward (a political candidate or leader).
党は地元の市議を次の選挙の候補者に立てた。
The party put forward the local councilor as a candidate in the next election.
彼らは新しいリーダーを立てて組織の改革を進めた。
They appointed a new leader and pushed forward organizational reform.
To preserve someone's dignity or give them proper respect; to avoid embarrassing someone or to make them look good.
上司の面目を立てるために、失敗をあまり公にしなかった。
To preserve his boss's reputation, he didn't make the failure too public.
招待する側として客のプライドを立てることが大切だ。
As the host, it's important to respect and preserve the guest's pride.
To sharpen or make something clear/distinct (e.g., to sharpen a blade or to clarify an outline or impression).
写真のコントラストを立てて被写体を際立たせた。
I increased the photo's contrast to make the subject stand out.
エッジを立てるために包丁をよく研いだ。
I sharpened the knife well to make the edge keen.
To shut or close (archaic usage; related to 閉てる).
古文では『戸を立てる』のように書かれている箇所がある。
In classical texts there are passages written like 'to shut the door' using this form.
To prepare (whisk) matcha; to perform the tea-making in the tea ceremony.
お点前として、抹茶を丁寧に立てる練習をした。
As part of the tea ceremony practice, I practiced whisking matcha carefully.
彼女は客のためにお茶を立てた。
She prepared tea for the guest.
To divide by (used when distributing or dividing an amount by some number).
旅行の費用を参加者の人数で立てて、一人当たりの負担を計算した。
We divided the travel cost by the number of participants to calculate each person's share.
A suffixal use after the -masu stem of a verb meaning to do something vigorously or intensely (e.g., 煽り立てる = to incite strongly).
彼らは群衆を煽り立てて暴動を起こさせた。
They incited the crowd and caused a riot.
部下を持ち立てることで、その人物の影響力が強まった。
By elevating/supporting the subordinate, that person's influence grew stronger.