Translation guide
The English preposition 'on' has many uses. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: location on a surface, attachment, time (days/dates), means of transport, and state/condition. It also includes common phrasal verbs and expressions.
Expressing that something is physically on top of or in contact with a surface.
The most common way to say 'on' for location. 上 (うえ) means 'top/above'. に marks the location where something exists or is placed.
The book is on the desk.
The cat is sleeping on the sofa.
Use で instead of に when an action takes place on the surface.
The children are playing on the lawn.
For some nouns, に alone can mean 'on' when the surface is implied (e.g., wall, floor, ground).
A picture is hanging on the wall.
Please sit on the floor.
Expressing that something is attached to, stuck on, or in contact with something else.
Used for things that are attached or stuck to a surface, or for wearing accessories on the body.
There is a magnet on the refrigerator.
He is wearing a ring on his finger.
More casual/emphatic way to say 'stuck on'. くっつく means 'to stick/adhere'.
Gum is stuck on my shoe.
Expressing that something happens on a specific day or date.
Simply add に after the day or date. For days of the week, に is often optional in casual speech.
There is a meeting on Monday.
She was born on June 15th.
Using は instead of に can emphasize the day as the topic, often used in contrasts.
I am busy on Fridays.
Expressing that someone travels using a vehicle or animal.
Use で after the vehicle to indicate the means of transportation.
I go to school on the bus.
He came on his bicycle.
Literally 'riding on', this emphasizes the act of boarding. More formal or descriptive.
I commute on the train.
Expressing being in a particular state, often with 'on' in English (on fire, on sale, on duty).
There is no single Japanese equivalent. Learn the natural expression for each state. Often uses 〜ている or specific verbs.
The house is on fire.
This store is having a sale. (lit. 'is on sale')
He is on duty now.
Suffix meaning 'in the middle of' or 'currently'. Works for some 'on' states like 'on sale' (セール中), 'on duty' (勤務中).
The line is busy. (lit. 'on the phone')
English has many phrasal verbs with 'on' (turn on, put on, go on). These usually have distinct Japanese verbs.
Do not try to translate 'on' literally. Each phrasal verb has its own Japanese equivalent.
Please turn on the light.
Put on your coat.
Let's go on with the story.
English 'on' is highly polysemous. Japanese uses different particles (に, で, を) or entirely different structures depending on the meaning. Always think about the function (location, time, means, state) rather than the word 'on' itself.
上 (うえ) specifically means 'on top of'. For vertical surfaces like walls, or for attachment, use に without 上. For example, 'on the wall' is 壁に, not 壁の上に (which would mean on top of the wall).