Posted inN3 Grammar

Mastering 上で (ue de): Japanese Grammar for Decisions and Procedures (JLPT N3)

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

‘Upon X’, ‘After X’, ‘Based on X’, ‘Having done X’

🎯 Primary Function

To indicate that action Y is performed based on or after a necessary prerequisite action, consideration, or condition X.

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb Past Plain Form + 上で (Vた + 上で) Noun + の + 上で (Noun + の + 上で)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Very common in formal discussions, business contexts, official procedures, and written communication.

😊 Informal Situations

Infrequently used; it sounds unnatural and overly formal in casual conversation. 〜てから or 〜た後で are more common informally.

✍️ Written Language

Frequently used in formal writing, reports, contracts, academic papers, and explanations.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in formal speeches, presentations, or discussions, but avoided in everyday casual talk.

💡 Common Applications

Decision Making/Planning
Used when a decision, plan, or action is taken after thorough consideration, discussion, or investigation.
Example: 十分に検討した上で、最終決定を下しました。 (Juubun ni kentou shita ue de, saishuu kettei o kudashimashita.) – After thorough consideration, we made the final decision.
Following Procedures/Instructions
Indicates that an action should be performed only after completing a specific prior step or instruction.
Example: 利用規約をお読みになった上で、ご登録ください。 (Riyou kiyaku o o-yomi ni natta ue de, go-touroku kudasai.) – Please register after reading the terms of use.
Acting Based on Conditions/Information
Used when an action is performed based on certain conditions being met or specific information being acquired.
Example: 事実確認をした上で、正式な発表を行います。 (Jijitsu kakunin o shita ue de, seishiki na happyou o okonaimasu.) – We will make an official announcement after confirming the facts.
📊
Frequency
Fairly common, particularly in formal or written contexts.
🎚️
Difficulty
N3
Example Sentences
契約内容をご確認いただいた上で、サインをお願いします。
After confirming the contract details, please sign.
よく考えた上で、引き受けるかどうか決めます。
After thinking carefully, I will decide whether or not to accept it.
この計画は、専門家の意見の上で立てられました。
This plan was created based on the opinions of experts.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Prerequisite or Basis
The action or condition preceding 上で (X) is a necessary prerequisite, basis, or foundation for the action that follows (Y). It is not just a simple sequence of events.
Example: 説明書をよく読んだ上で (After carefully reading the manual – X), ご使用ください (please use it – Y). Y is done *based on* having understood X.
Implies Consideration or Condition
Often implies that the preceding action involves careful thought, investigation, discussion, or that the following action is based on established facts or conditions.
Example: 十分に検討した上で… (After sufficient consideration…) vs. ご飯を食べた後で… (After eating rice…). The former implies careful thought, the latter is just a sequence.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using for simple sequential actions
✅ Use 〜てから or 〜た後で for simple “after doing A, do B” without the nuance of “based on” or “careful consideration”.
上で implies a stronger connection or dependence between the two actions than simple temporal sequence.
❌ Using Verb Dictionary Form
✅ Always use the past plain form (V-ta) before 上で.
The V-ta form is necessary to indicate the completion of the prerequisite action.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Relatively formal/polite, often used in instructions or official communication.
Social Situations: Business meetings, official announcements, instructions, academic discussions.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese, widely understood.

🔍 Subtle Differences

上で vs. 〜てから / 〜た後で
上で implies the second action is based on or done after careful consideration of the first. 〜てから and 〜た後で simply indicate temporal sequence.
When to use: Use 上で when the first action is a necessary condition or basis for the second, or involves significant consideration/procedure. Use 〜てから / 〜た後で for simple “after X, Y happened/will happen”.
Noun + の上で vs. 〜に基づいて
Both can mean “based on”. 〜に基づいて is generally more formal and often used for official rules, data, or principles. Noun + の上で can be used for opinions, facts, or less formal bases.
When to use: Use 〜に基づいて for formal reports, laws, etc. Use Noun + の上で for a slightly less formal but still structured basis like opinions or facts.
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When to use: undefined

📝 Conjugation Notes

Verb: Use the past plain form (た form). Example: 読む → 読んだ上で, する → した上で. Noun: Add の directly. Example: 計画 → 計画の上で, 事実 → 事実の上で.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

上で is pronounced うえで (ue de). The うえ part is standard, followed by で.

🧠 Memory Tips

Imagine “standing on” (上で) the foundation of the first action/condition before taking the next step. It highlights that the first step is crucial and provides the base for the second.

Practice Exercises
このレポートは、( ) 書かれました。
多くのデータの上の、
多くのデータの上で、
多くのデータによる上で、
多くのデータの上へ
旅行の ( ) ホテルを予約しました。
計画する上で、
計画した上で、
計画するのに上で、
計画上で
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