Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 2: 3/24

以上(いじょう)

Since, Now that, As long as, If

Structure Legend

Structure

Verb + 以上(いじょう)()
[い]Adjective + 以上(いじょう)()
[な]Adjective + である + 以上(いじょう)()
Noun + である + 以上(いじょう)()

Details

  • Register

    Formal

  • 使用域

    一般

About 以上 ②

When combined with the adverbial particle は, 以上(いじょう) is frequently translated as 'since (A), (B)', 'now that (A), (B)', or 'as long as (A), (B)'. This is a formal structure that is rarely found in daily speech.
This construction may be used with verbs and い-Adjectives in their standard forms, and な-Adjectives or nouns followed by である以上(いじょう).
  • (ねこ)()うと()めた以上(いじょう)最後(さいご)まで責任(せきにん)()って(そだ)てないといけないと(おも)います。
    Now that I have decided to keep a cat, I think that I have the responsibility to raise it until the end.
  • 体調(たいちょう)(わる)以上(いじょう)会社(かいしゃ)()ないでください。
    As long as you are sick, please don't come into work.
  • 有名(ゆうめい)である以上(いじょう)、テレビではもちろん、SNSでも発言(はつげん)()をつけなければいけません。
    As long as you are famous, you will have to watch what you say, not only on television, but also on social networks.
  • この地域(ちいき)住民(じゅうみん)である以上(いじょう)、この地域(ちいき)のルールをしっかりと(まも)ってもらわないと(こま)ります。
    As long as you are a resident of this community, we need you to properly follow the rules of this community.
As with many other grammar points, the particle is often dropped, leaving 以上(いじょう) by itself.
  • キャプテンに(えら)ばれた以上(いじょう)結果(けっか)(のこ)すために精一杯(せいいっぱい)頑張(かんば)ります!
    Now that I have been chosen as captain, I will do my best to achieve results!
  • どんなに()()けていても、人間(にんげん)である以上(いじょう)、ミスは(ふせ)げないよ。
    No matter how careful you are, as long as you're human, you can't avoid making mistakes.
Due to である以上(いじょう) often presenting something which is being acted upon, the (B) part of sentences that include this grammar structure will frequently include the resolutions or intentions of the speaker, and can be thought of as either obvious or necessary once considering (A). This usually appears in the form of べきだ, つもりだ, はずだ, たい, ほうがいい, and similar patterns.
Fun-fact - Despite the standard translations, the literal meaning of 'above and beyond (A), (B)' is also a good way to remember this grammar pattern, as it basically highlights that anything 'past', 'beyond', or 'above' (A) is what needs to be considered.

Examples

  • 日本(にほん)()以上(いじょう)真剣(しんけん)日本語(にほんご)勉強(べんきょう)をしたい(おも)います。

    Now that I have come to Japan, I think I want to study Japanese seriously.

  • 試験(しけん)()ける以上(いじょう)(やす)ことはできない。

    As long as I am taking the exam, I can't rest.

  • (おや)ある以上(いじょう)()(そだ)てを頑張(がんば)べきだ。

    Since you are a parent, you should do your best to raise your child.

  • 一定(いってい)結果(けっか)()していない以上(いじょう)あなた解任(かいにん)するしかありません。

    Now that you aren't showing consistent results, we have no choice but to dismiss you.

  • 都心(としん)()んでいる以上(いじょう)渋滞(じゅうたい)()けられない。

    Now that I am living in the city center, I can't avoid the traffic.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online


  • Offline

    There are no Offline resources listed for 「以上 ②」.

    You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!

  • Track Resources!

    Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

以上 ② – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

  • Pushindawood

    Pushindawood

    About 3 years ago

    @Ambo100 Hey! The first 以上 was originally displayed in hiragana to make it more accessible to new users. I have changed the 以上s to be 以上① and 以上②. We are working on getting all of the page numbers of DIJG and DAJG onto the site and will push them once allocated. Cheers!

  • entropyofchaos

    entropyofchaos

    About 11 months ago

    Is the usage of this with い-adjectives correct? I was taught in my class that we can’t use 以上②. Is this correct? I showed her the one example in the explanation section and she said it seemed strange. She tried to look up the grammar point in her own resources and couldn’t find anything showing it was ok except maybe when ない is used.

  • lisaki8

    lisaki8

    About 5 months ago

    You’re right. 以上は only follows verbs (plain form) or 〜である.

    The books A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar and A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar are very useful fo checking on points like this.

Got questions about 以上 ②? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion