棚の上に本がある。
There is a book on the shelf.
The airplane is flying above the clouds.
Refers to the highest part of something, such as a mountain, staircase, or list.
Please wait at the top of the stairs.
The summit of the mountain was covered with snow.
Used for something resting on or covering a surface. Often appears as ～の上.
I put the notebook on the desk.
Oil is floating on the surface of the water.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
Used for age or seniority. 上の兄弟 means an older sibling.
He has a brother three years older than him.
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.
Legally speaking, there is no problem.
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.
He is smart, and on top of that, he is a hard worker.
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.
I will reply after thinking it over carefully.
That action was taken with full awareness.
Used as ～上は to give a reason or condition, often formal. Implies 'given that ...'.
Now that I have promised, I will definitely keep it.
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
Where is your honorable father?
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.
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 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（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