Translation guide
The English preposition 'over' has many meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: physical position above, covering, crossing, exceeding, about a topic, and finishing. It is organized by meaning, with natural Japanese expressions for each.
Expressing that something is located higher than something else, without contact.
Standard way to say B is above/over A. 上 (うえ) means 'above' or 'on top of'. Use に for location.
机の上にペンがあります。
There is a pen over the desk.
雲の上を飛行機が飛んでいる。
A plane is flying over the clouds.
More formal/literary. 上方 (じょうほう) means 'upper direction' or 'above'. Used in written descriptions.
山の上方に星が見える。
Stars are visible over the mountain.
Expressing that something is placed over something else, often covering it.
Use 上 (うえ) with verbs like かける (to hang/cover) or 置く (to place). The particle に indicates the location.
テーブルの上にテーブルクロスをかけた。
I put a tablecloth over the table.
本の上に手を置いた。
I placed my hand over the book.
Verb meaning 'to cover'. Can be used when something completely covers another thing.
雪が地面を覆った。
Snow covered over the ground.
Expressing motion from one side to the other, often crossing something.
越える (こえる) means 'to cross over' or 'to go over' (a mountain, wall, etc.). 越す (こす) is similar but often used in compounds.
山を越えて町へ行く。
Go over the mountain to the town.
彼は塀を越えた。
He climbed over the fence.
Used for crossing over a bridge, river, street, etc. 渡る (わたる) means 'to cross'.
橋を渡ってください。
Please go over the bridge.
Means 'on the other side of A'. Used to describe location after crossing.
川の向こう側に家がある。
There is a house over the river.
Expressing that something exceeds a certain quantity, age, etc.
以上 (いじょう) means 'more than' or 'over' (a number). Attach directly to the number.
100人以上の人が来た。
Over 100 people came.
このゲームは18歳以上対象です。
This game is for people over 18.
Verb meaning 'to exceed'. Often used with numbers. More formal than 以上.
気温が30度を超えた。
The temperature went over 30 degrees.
Expressing the subject of discussion, argument, worry, etc.
Standard way to say 'about' or 'concerning'. Used with verbs like 話す (talk), 考える (think), 心配する (worry).
その問題について話し合った。
We discussed over the problem.
将来について心配している。
I'm worried over the future.
More formal than について. Often used in business or written contexts.
この件に関してご連絡ください。
Please contact us over this matter.
Expressing that an event, period, or activity has finished.
Expressing that something happens throughout a duration.
間に (あいだに) means 'during' or 'over' a period. Used when an action occurs within that time frame.
週末の間に宿題を終わらせる。
I'll finish my homework over the weekend.
この数年で状況が変わった。
The situation has changed over the last few years.
Means 'throughout' or 'over the course of'. Emphasizes continuity.
一生を通して学び続ける。
Keep learning over a lifetime.
Expressing communication via a device or system.
The particle で indicates means. Use with 電話 (phone), ラジオ (radio), インターネット (internet), etc.
電話で話した。
We talked over the phone.
インターネットで注文した。
I ordered it over the internet.
English 'over' has many idiomatic uses that don't correspond to a single Japanese word. Always think about the intended meaning first, then choose the appropriate Japanese expression. For example, 'think over' is よく考える (consider carefully), not 上で考える.
その計画をよく考えた。
I thought over the plan.
上 (うえ) is the everyday word for 'above/on'. 上方 (じょうほう) is more technical or literary, often used in written descriptions or formal contexts. For most situations, 上 is sufficient.
以上 (いじょう) is the most common way to say 'over' a number. を超える (をこえる) is a verb and sounds more dynamic or formal. Use 以上 for simple statements like 'over 100 people', and を超える when emphasizing the action of exceeding a threshold.
鳥が家の上を飛んでいった。
A bird flew over the house.
彼女は寝ている子供の上に毛布をかけた。
She put a blanket over the sleeping child.
会議は終わりました。
The meeting is over.
200人以上の学生が応募した。
Over 200 students applied.