Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 2: 19/22

上(うえ)でAfter, Upon

In A上でB: A cannot be passive

Structure

Verb［た］+ 上(うえ)で
Noun + の + 上(うえ)で

Details

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    Formal

About 上で

上(うえ)で is an expression in Japanese that is used after the past form of verbs, or nouns followed by の. It shows that something will happen 'after (A)', or 'upon (A)'. This grammar point is used in a similar way to its literal meaning, which is 'with the above/previous (A), (B)'. 上(うえ) as 'above', and で as 'with', in で's use as a case marking particle.

上(うえ)で is a structure that is primarily used in formal settings. Due to this, it will not be used in casual conversations very often. It also strongly hints at (A) being a requirement for (B), or (A) being something that would logically be expected before (B).

Caution

Due to 上(うえ)で being used to show logical progressions from (A) to (B), (A) cannot be a verb that is passive. Passivity in Japanese often implies that someone/thing has a lack of control in relation to the actions that happen to them/it. As a result of this, (A) not being able to be controlled would result in (B) sounding like it could not be planned for.

  • 医者(いしゃ)に教(おし)えられた上(うえ)で、使用(しよう)してください。 (Unnatural)
    Please use this upon being told to be a doctor.

This is different to the way that passivity works in English (simply showing that something received an action upon it).

Examples

--:--

    家(いえ)の中(なか)を見(み)た上(うえ)で、買(か)おうと思(おも)っている。

    I am thinking that I will buy the house after I have seen the inside. (upon)

    説明書(せつめいしょ)を読(よ)んだ上(うえ)で、ご使用(しよう)ください。

    Please use it after reading the instructions. (upon)

    変更(へんこう)した上(うえ)で、間違(まちが)いがあるかどうか確認(かくにん)するべきだ。

    After making changes, you should check whether or not there are any mistakes. (upon)

    妻(つま)と相談(そうだん)した上(うえ)で、手術(しゅじゅつ)を受(う)けることを決(き)めたいと思(おも)う。

    I would like to make the decision about undergoing surgery, after I discuss it with my wife. (upon)

    慎重(しんちょう)な調査(ちょうさ)の上(うえ)で、被告(ひこく)は有罪(ゆうざい)と決定(けってい)しました。

    Upon careful investigation, the defendant has been found guilty. (after)

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上で – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (21 in total)

  • nekoyama

    nekoyama

    This grammar point is about past+上で which is different from dictionary form+上で. It looks like the video linked in the resources section covers it in the second half.

    I’d read 歴史を知るうえで重要な資料 as “important materials for learning about history”.

  • mblasco23

    mblasco23

    Ah, my bad. Thanks so much!

  • PierreRene

    PierreRene

    I can‘t find any information about this case dictionary form + 上で. Is it missing in bunpro?

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