noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Indicates a higher physical position relative to something else. Often used with の or as a location noun.
棚の上に本がある。
There is a book on the shelf.
飛行機が雲の上を飛んでいる。
The airplane is flying above the clouds.
noun
Refers to the highest part of something, such as a mountain, staircase, or list.
階段の上で待っていてください。
Please wait at the top of the stairs.
山の上は雪が積もっていた。
The summit of the mountain was covered with snow.
noun
Used for something resting on or covering a surface. Often appears as ～の上.
机の上にノートを置いた。
I put the notebook on the desk.
水の上に油が浮いている。
Oil is floating on the surface of the water.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
the above; earlier part (in a text)
Refers to something mentioned earlier in a document or conversation. Common in formal writing.
詳細は上の説明をご覧ください。
Please see the above explanation for details.
上に述べた理由により、計画は中止となった。
For the reasons stated above, the plan was canceled.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
superior; better; higher (rank)
Describes a higher position in a hierarchy, quality, or ability. Often used with の.
彼は私より一段上の役職だ。
He holds a position one rank above mine.
品質は値段の上の製品だ。
The quality is superior to the price would suggest.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
Used for age or seniority. 上の兄弟 means an older sibling.
彼には三つ上の兄がいる。
He has a brother three years older than him.
上の世代の考え方を尊重する。
Respect the way of thinking of the older generation.
noun
in terms of; as far as ... is concerned; when it comes to
Attaches to nouns to form adverbial phrases like ～上で(は) or ～上の. Indicates the domain or standpoint.
法律上は問題ない。
Legally speaking, there is no problem.
計算上では可能だが、実際は難しい。
In terms of calculation it's possible, but in practice it's difficult.
noun
besides; in addition to; on top of
Used as ～上(に) to add another fact, often with a nuance of accumulation.
彼は頭がいい上に、努力家だ。
He is smart, and on top of that, he is a hard worker.
雨が降っている上に風も強い。
It's raining, and besides that, the wind is strong.
noun
after; upon; as a result of
Used as ～上(で) after a verb in past or noun to mean 'after doing' or 'as a result of'. Also used in set phrases like 承知の上で.
よく考えた上で返事をします。
I will reply after thinking it over carefully.
それは承知の上での行動だ。
That action was taken with full awareness.
noun
Used as ～上は to give a reason or condition, often formal. Implies 'given that ...'.
約束した上は、必ず守る。
Now that I have promised, I will definitely keep it.
こうなった上は、最後まで戦うしかない。
Since things have come to this, we have no choice but to fight to the end.
suffix
honorable; venerable; dear (suffix)
Honorific suffix attached to a person of higher status, e.g., 父上 (father), 姉上 (older sister). Archaic or formal in modern usage.
See also: 父上
父上はどちらにいらっしゃいますか。
Where is your honorable father?
姉上によろしくお伝えください。
Please give my regards to your venerable older sister.
noun
emperor; sovereign; shogun; daimyo (archaic)
Archaic term for a ruler or high lord. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical contexts.
上のお言葉として伝えられた。
It was conveyed as the word of the sovereign.
Native Japanese word. The kanji 上 is a pictograph representing something above a line, and is used for its meaning 'up, above'. The reading うえ is of native origin.