水上
Meanings
1
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
on the water; waterborne; aquatic
Often used before の or in compounds for activities, transport, police, sports, and facilities that operate on the surface of water.
We went down the river by water bus.
In summer, many people enjoy water sports on the lake.
2
A less central noun use referring to the area at or by the water; in modern everyday Japanese, 水辺 or 水際 is usually clearer for this meaning.
Depending on the context, 水上 can refer to the waterside or water's edge.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉が水上に浮くfor something to float on the water
The boat is floating on the water.
- 水上で〈動詞〉to do something on the water
A rescue operation was carried out on the water.
- 水上を移動するto travel across the water
In that region, transportation methods for traveling across the water are well developed.