Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
While the kanji 上 (うえ) literally means “above” or “on,” when read as じょう and attached to a noun, it takes on a more abstract meaning.
🎯 Primary Function
Indicates the standpoint, perspective, or area of consideration from which a statement or judgment is made. It means “from the perspective of [Noun],” “in terms of [Noun],” “regarding [Noun],” or “[Noun]-wise.”
📋 Grammar Structure
Noun + 上（じょう）
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Frequently used in formal discussions, business contexts, legal contexts, and academic writing.
Informal Situations
Less common in casual conversation, but can appear in set phrases.
Written Language
Very common in written Japanese, including news articles, reports, and official documents.
Spoken Language
Used more often in formal spoken situations like presentations or meetings rather than everyday casual talk.
💡 Common Applications
Legal/Rules standpoint
Used to state something is true or necessary according to law or regulations.
Example: 法律上、未成年者はお酒を飲むことができません。 (By law, minors cannot drink alcohol.)
Job/Work standpoint
Used to talk about things related to one’s job or work responsibilities.
Example: 仕事上、どうしても残業しなければならない日がある。 (Work-wise, there are days I absolutely have to work overtime.)
Health/Physical condition standpoint
Used to discuss things from a health or physical condition perspective.
Example: 健康上、甘いものは控えた方が良いでしょう。 (Health-wise, it would be better to limit sweets.)
Frequency
Moderately frequent, especially in formal and written contexts.
Difficulty
Intermediate (JLPT N2).
Example Sentences
安全上、ヘルメットの着用は必須です。
For safety reasons / From a safety standpoint, wearing a helmet is mandatory.
契約上、この情報は他言できません。
According to the contract / Contractually, I cannot disclose this information to others.
彼は年齢上は私より下だが、経験は豊富だ。
Although he is younger than me in terms of age, he has a lot of experience.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Focus on the Noun
The pattern emphasizes the noun that comes before 上(じょう) as the specific area or perspective being considered.
Example: コスト上 (Cost-wise) focuses on the cost aspect.
Formal/Written Tone
This pattern is more suitable for formal communication and written materials than casual conversation.
Example: Using 法律上 (legally) in a formal explanation is natural, but less so in a casual chat.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it for physical location
✅ Use Noun + の上（うえ） for physical location “on top of.”
上(じょう) is almost always used for abstract/conceptual standpoints at the N2 level. Noun + の上（うえ） is for physical location.
❌ Confusing with ～た上（で）
✅ ～た上（で） means “after doing X, then Y.” 上(じょう) indicates a standpoint.
These are distinct patterns. ～た上（で） shows a sequence of actions, while Noun + 上(じょう) indicates a perspective or condition.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Relatively formal.
Social Situations: Business meetings, official reports, legal documents, academic discussions, news reporting.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese.
🔍 Subtle Differences
～上（じょう） vs. ～にとって
～上（じょう） specifies the standpoint/basis for a statement. ～にとって indicates who benefits from or is affected by something, or someone’s personal opinion.
When to use: Use ～上（じょう） when stating something is true *from a certain perspective*. Use ～にとって when talking about *for whom* something is important or beneficial, or *from whose perspective* something is viewed personally.
～上（じょう） vs. ～に関しては
～上（じょう） states something *is* the case from a specific standpoint. ～に関しては simply introduces the topic or area being discussed.
When to use: Use ～上（じょう） to make a statement *based on* a field or rule. Use ～に関しては to say “regarding…” or “concerning…” without necessarily making a judgment based *solely* on that point.
～上（じょう） vs. ～からいうと
～上（じょう） indicates the inherent rule or condition from a standpoint. ～からいうと expresses a judgment or conclusion based on a perspective or information.
When to use: ～上（じょう） is often used for established rules, conditions, or categories (法律上, 健康上). ～からいうと is used for expressing a judgment or conclusion based on a viewpoint (私の経験からいうと – from my experience).
📝 Conjugation Notes
Connects directly after a noun. No conjugation needed.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounce じょう as one syllable with a long “o” sound.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of looking down “from above” a category or perspective (e.g., looking down on things from the “Law” category = 法律上).
Vocabulary List
法律
hōritsu
law
安全
anzen
safety
契約
keiyaku
contract
仕事
shigoto
work, job
健康
kenkō
health
予算
yosan
budget
都合
circumstances, convenience
Kanji List
上
じょう
above, on, in terms of, from the standpoint of
法
ほう
law, method
律
りつ
rhythm, law, regulation
安
あん
safe, peaceful
全
ぜん
whole, all
契
けい
pledge, contract
約
やく
promise, shorten
仕
し
serve, attend
事
ごと
thing, matter, work
健
けん
healthy
康
こう
health, ease
Practice Exercises
この問題は、技術＿＿解決が難しい。
のために
にとって
じょう
につれて
契約＿＿、納期を遅らせることはできません。
に比べて
と同様
から言って
上
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