上
Meanings
from the standpoint of; in terms of; with respect to
Suffix attached to nouns to state the viewpoint, field, condition, or criterion being considered, as in 法律上, 安全上, 事実上, and 理論上.
There is no problem from a legal standpoint.
For safety reasons, that road was closed.
Suffix indicating a location on, above, or aboard something. It is often more written or compound-like than plain 上（うえ）, as in 机上, 紙上, 船上, and 機上.
I laid the materials out on the desk.
We watched the sunset aboard the ship.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
top grade; first class; the best
Used as a grade label meaning the best or upper class, especially in rankings such as 上・中・下 or menu tiers such as 並 and 上.
At the sushi shop, I ordered the top-grade set instead of the regular one.
This tea is of top-grade quality.
A volume label for the first book in a two- or three-volume set, corresponding to 下 for the last volume and 中 for the middle volume.
This story is divided into two volumes, the first and the last.
It was a three-volume set labeled first, middle, and last, and I read the first volume first.
with my compliments
Traditional written formula placed on gift wrapping; it is an inscription rather than an ordinary spoken phrase.
On the gift wrapping, they wrote “with my compliments” and added their name.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉上from the standpoint of ~; in terms of ~
Legally speaking, this isn't a problem.
- 〈場所〉上でon/aboard ~ (formal, written style)
The wedding was held aboard the ship.
- 〈物〉を上・中・下に分けるto divide ~ into top, middle, and bottom grades
Quality is evaluated by dividing it into top, middle, and bottom grades.
- 〈物〉は上・下に分かれる~ is divided into a first and second volume
This novel is divided into a first and second volume.