上手
also: かみて
Meanings
General term for the upper portion of something. Can be used as a noun or adjectival noun.
Please don't put heavy things on the upper part of the shelf.
upper stream; upper course of a river
Only with reading かみて
Refers to the upstream portion of a river. Reading is かみて.
There is a dam in the upper course of this river.
stage left (actor's POV); right side of the stage (audience's POV)
Only with reading かみて
Theater and performance term. From the audience's perspective, it is the right side of the stage; from the actor's perspective, it is stage left. Reading is かみて.
The actor entered from stage left.
Only with reading うわて
Used in comparisons to indicate greater skill or ability. Often appears in phrases like 一枚上手 (one level above). Reading is うわて.
He is one step ahead of me in skill.
over-arm grip on opponent's belt
Only with reading うわて
Sumo term for a grip where the wrestler reaches over the opponent's arm to grab the back of the belt. Reading is うわて.
The yokozuna got an over-arm belt grip and quickly forced his opponent out.
Usage patterns
- 上手を取るto get an over-arm grip on the opponent's belt (sumo)
The wrestler quickly got an over-arm grip with his right hand.
- 上手を切るto break the opponent's over-arm belt grip (sumo)
He broke his opponent's over-arm grip before pushing forward.
Expressions
- 上手を行くhave the upper hand; surpass; outdo