Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
Now that…, Since…, Because… (implying a necessary consequence)
🎯 Primary Function
To state that a certain outcome, obligation, or strong intention/determination necessarily follows from a given premise or established fact. It connects a condition (the part before 以上は) to a consequence or firm resolve (the part after 以上は).
📋 Grammar Structure
動詞の辞書形/た形/ている形 + 以上は
名詞 + である + 以上は
な形容詞語幹 + である + 以上は
い形容詞 + 以上は
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Commonly used.
Informal Situations
Can be used, but lends a slightly formal or serious tone.
Written Language
Frequently appears in essays, reports, articles, etc.
Spoken Language
Used when expressing a strong sense of conviction, obligation, or consequence.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing obligation or duty
Stating that because a certain situation exists or action was taken, one must do something or something must happen.
Example: 学生である以上は、勉強するのは当然だ。(Since you are a student, studying is natural/expected.)
Showing determination or strong will
Stating that having decided or started something, one is determined to see it through or act in a certain way.
Example: やると決めた以上は、最後までやり遂げます。(Now that I’ve decided to do it, I will see it through to the end.)
Stating a logical consequence based on a fact
Stating that given a certain undeniable fact, a specific result is unavoidable or logical.
Example: 証拠がある以上は、彼の犯行は間違いないだろう。(Given that there is evidence, his crime is probably unquestionable.)
Frequency
Moderately frequent in advanced Japanese.
Difficulty
N2
Example Sentences
日本へ来た以上は、日本語をマスターしたい。
Now that I have come to Japan, I want to master Japanese.
この仕事を引き受けた以上は、責任を持って最後までやります。
Now that I have taken on this job, I will take responsibility and do it until the end.
医者である以上は、患者さんの命を救うために全力を尽くすべきだ。
Since you are a doctor, you should do your best to save patients’ lives.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Expresses a strong causal link.
The clause before 以上は is the premise, and the clause after is the necessary consequence, obligation, or strong determination.
Example: 試験を受ける以上は、合格したい。(Shiken o ukeru ijou wa, goukaku shitai.) – Now that I’m taking the exam, I want to pass. (Taking the exam -> strong desire/determination to pass)
Often followed by expressions of obligation or determination.
Phrases like べきだ, なければならない, はずだ, に違いない, たい, つもりだ commonly follow 以上は because it sets up a premise that necessitates such conclusions or intentions.
Example: 参加すると言った以上は、行かないわけにはいかない。(Sanka suru to itta ijou wa, ikanai wake ni wa ikanai.) – Now that I said I’d participate, I can’t very well not go.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it like a simple conditional or reason.
✅ Ensure there is a strong sense of necessary consequence, obligation, or determination following the premise. It’s not just “A happened, so B happened”; it’s “Given A, B *must* happen” or “Given A, I *am determined* to do B”.
Simple reasons might use から or ので. 以上は is stronger and carries more weight regarding the outcome or resolution.
❌ Incorrect conjugation, especially with nouns and adjectives.
✅ Remember to use である for nouns and な-adjectives, and plain form for い-adjectives and verbs (dictionary, た, ている).
While informal variations exist, である is the standard and safest connection for N/Na-adj in N2 usage.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Can be used in both polite and plain contexts, depending on the ending of the sentence, but the pattern itself carries a somewhat formal or serious nuance.
Social Situations: Used in situations requiring clear statements of obligation, responsibility, or firm decisions, whether personal or professional.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese, no significant regional variations in usage.
🔍 Subtle Differences
以上は vs からには (kara ni wa)
Very similar meaning (“now that”, “since”). Both express that a consequence follows a premise.
When to use: からには often carries a slightly stronger sense of personal resolve or determination than 以上は, though they are often interchangeable. 以上は can feel slightly more objective or based on established fact/rule.
以上は vs 上は (ue wa)
Similar meaning (“now that”, “since”). 上は is generally considered more formal or stiff than 以上は.
When to use: 上は is often found in very formal or official contexts, such as laws, regulations, or formal announcements. 以上は is more common in general conversation and writing.
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When to use: undefined
📝 Conjugation Notes
Verbs connect in dictionary form, past plain (た) form, or ている form. Nouns and な-adjectives use である. い-adjectives use their plain form. Verb ます form + 以上は is less common but sometimes used.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced “ijou wa”. The “jō” sound is a long ‘o’.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of “以上” (ijou) meaning “more than” or “beyond”. So, “beyond this point (premise), this consequence/action is necessary.”
Vocabulary List
日本
Nihon
Japan
来る
kuru
to come
日本語
Nihongo
Japanese language
マスターする
masutaa suru
to master
仕事
shigoto
job, work
引き受ける
hikiukeru
to undertake, to take on
責任
responsibility
Kanji List
以
い
by means of, because, in view of, compared with
上
じょう
above, up, over, top, upon, first, superior, surface, past, go up, climb
日
に/にち/じつ
day, sun, Japan, counter for days
本
ほん
book, present, true, right, counter for long cylindrical things
来
らい/くる
come, due, next, cause, become
語
ご
word, language, talk
仕
し/つかえる
serve, attend, official, do
事
じ/こと
matter, thing, fact, business, reason, possibly
引
いん/ひく
pull, tug, jerk, admit, install, quote, refer to
受
じゅ/うける
get, receive, inherit, accept
責
せき/せめる
blame, condemn, censure
Practice Exercises
日本に留学する＿＿＿＿、日本語を真剣に勉強するつもりだ。
くらいなら
以上は
反面
かわりに
一度引き受けた＿＿＿＿、責任を持って最後までやり遂げなければならない。
ところに
わけに
以上は
わりに
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