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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There is a book on the table.
I put the luggage on top of the box.
This room is quiet, and on top of that, it's close to the station.
Let's decide after discussing it thoroughly.
Now that I've taken it on, I'll see it through to the end.
If you have any trouble in terms of work, please consult with me.
上（うえ）is the ordinary modern word for 'top' or 'upper part,' while 上（かみ）is an older, more restricted reading used mainly in set contrasts with 下（しも）.
上 is the plain native word for the upper side or above, while トップ is the more modern, layout- or ranking-oriented term for the top part.
上 refers to a higher physical position (above/on top), while 下 refers to a lower position (below/under).
底 is the lowest part of something, whereas 上 is the top or upper part—its direct opposite.
上（じょう）is a formal, compound-forming suffix for location as in 机上・船上, while 上（うえ）is the everyday word for 'on top of' used freely with any noun and the particle に.
上 (うわ) is a bound prefix meaning 'outer/upper surface' used only in compounds like 上着, while 上 (うえ) is the common standalone noun meaning 'above/on top' and freely follows other nouns with の.
top and bottom; up and down; upper and lower ends · upside down; with top and bottom reversed
older; senior
upper left; top left
right above; directly overhead
in addition; furthermore; moreover · on top of that; above that
father (honorific)
superior; senior; person of higher rank
on the floor; above floor level
emperor; shogun · honored person · (another person's) wife
mother (honorific)
now that; since; as long as; provided that
upper right; top right
upper left; top left
older brother (honorific)
upper right; top right
older sister (honorific)
higher rank; superior position
above the knee · on one's lap
one step above; a cut above; one better