Kumi logo
    Kumi

    Learn Japanese. Where understanding folds into fluency.

    Dictionary

    KanjiKanji vocabularyKana vocabularyKanaRadicalsGrammarJLPT N5

    Learn

    GuidesStart where you areWhat is KMT?RoadmapFAQ

    Connect

    EmailDiscordInstagramThreadsTikTokYouTubeLinkedInBlueskyX

    Newsletter

    Start learning free →

    Free forever tier. No card required.

    © 2026 Kumiai Inc. All rights reserved.

    AboutFAQContactStatusPrivacyTermsAttributions
    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜上(は)

    〜上(は)

    〜上(は)

    This means "since" or "now that something is true." You use it to say that because of one thing, something else must happen.

    N1KMT8FormalStandardNominal ConstructionMixedOlder SpeakersFormal Perspective Or StandardGrammar

    Verb [た-form] + 上はPrimary
    Verb [た-form] + 上
    Noun + の + 上は

    This means "since" or "now that something is true." You use it to say that because of one thing, something else must happen.

    約やく束そくした上うえは、どんな困こん難なんがあっても守まもります。

    Now that I've made a promise, I will keep it no matter what difficulties arise.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialVolitionalWork & CareerEmotions & Psychology
    この仕し事ごとを引ひき受うけた上うえは、途と中ちゅうで投なげ出だすことは許ゆるされない。

    Now that I have taken on this job, giving up halfway is not permissible.

    FormalNon PastNegativeClause InitialProhibitionWork & Career
    法ほう律りつで禁きん止しされた上うえは、その行こう為いは処しょ罰ばつの対たい象しょうとなった。

    Once it was prohibited by law, that act became subject to punishment.

    FormalPastAffirmativeClause InitialDeclarativePolitics & Law
    留りゅう学がくすると決けっ心しんした上うえは、親おやの反はん対たいを押おし切きってでも行いこうと思おもう。

    Now that I've resolved to study abroad, I intend to go even if it means pushing through my parents' opposition.

    NeutralNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialVolitionalEducationFamily & Relationships
    彼かれはキャプテンに選えらばれた上うえは、チームを勝しょう利りに導みちびく責せき任にんがあると自じ覚かくしている。

    Having been chosen as captain, he is aware of his responsibility to lead the team to victory.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeSports & Martial Arts

    This grammar shows a strong feeling. You must do something because of what happened before. It is like saying, "Since this is true, I must do that." It sounds a bit formal or old-fashioned. You can drop "は" but keeping it makes the feeling stronger.

    This is like "~kara ni wa" but more formal. "~kara ni wa" shows your strong feelings. This grammar is also different from "~ni terashite". That grammar is for judging things by rules. This grammar is for many kinds of situations or choices.

    Don't use this when something might happen. For example, not "If you go, then..." The first part must be something that already happened. Or it must be a fact. The person or thing doing the first action is usually the same as the second. Or the second part is a general rule because of the first part.

    Contrasts with(3)

    〜からすると

    You use this when you make a guess or decision. Your guess is based on something you know or see. It means 'judging from' or 'looking at it from'.

    〜によると

    This means 'according to' or 'based on'. You use it to say where you got your information.

    〜たら最後 / 〜だ最後

    When you do something, a bad thing will definitely happen. You cannot stop it once it starts.

    More formal alternatives(5)

    〜からすると

    You use this when you make a guess or decision. Your guess is based on something you know or see. It means 'judging from' or 'looking at it from'.

    〜から見ると

    This means "from the point of view of..." or "looking from...". You use it to show whose opinion something is.

    〜から言えば

    This phrase means 'from the point of view of...' or 'speaking for...'. You use it to share an opinion from a certain person or group.

    〜以上は

    This means 'since' or 'now that'. You use it when a fact is true. Then, something else must happen because of that fact.

    〜からには

    This means 'since' or 'now that'. It shows that something must happen because of a situation.

    Less formal alternatives(1)

    〜に照らして (〜にてらして)

    This means "in light of X" or "according to X." You use it when you judge something based on a rule or a fact.

    た形

    This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

    〜以上は

    This means 'since' or 'now that'. You use it when a fact is true. Then, something else must happen because of that fact.

    〜からには

    This means 'since' or 'now that'. It shows that something must happen because of a situation.

    Kumi logo

    Track your mastery

    Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

    Related concepts for this entry

    more_formal_than

    • 〜からすると
    • 〜から見ると
    • 〜から言えば
    • 〜以上は
    • 〜からには

    less_formal_than

    • 〜に照らして (〜にてらして)

    contrasts_with

    • 〜によると
    • 〜たら最後 / 〜だ最後

    prerequisite

    • た形

    Explore more

    Grammar dictionary›Browse all entries›