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]+
Noun + +
Details
Register Formal
使用域 硬い
Information
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 as ‘with’, in で’s use as a 格助詞(かくじょし) (case marking particle).
  • この企画(けいかく)は社長(しゃちょう)相談(そうだん)した上(うえ)で、キャンセルすることに決(き)めました。
    Upon consulting the CEO of the company, we have decided to cancel this plan.
  • 色(いろ)んな車(くるま)運転(うんてん)した上(うえ)でどの車(くるま)買(か)うか決(き)めたいと思(おも)います
    Upon driving various cars, I would like to choose which car to purchase.
  • 以下(いか)内容(ないよう)確認(かくにん)の上(うえ)で、サインてください
    Upon confirming the details below, please sign your name.
  • 以下(いか)リンクからログイン上(うえ)、内容(ないよう)変更(へんんこう)てください
    Upon logging in from the link below, please change your information.
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).
  • こちら商品(しょうひん)は医者(いしゃ)に相談(そうだん)した上(うえ)で、使用(しよう)してください
    Please use this product upon consulting with a doctor.
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).
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家(いえ)中(なか)を見(み)た上(うえ)、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.
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説明書(せつめいしょ)を読(よ)んだ上(うえ)、ご使用(しよう)ください。
Please use it after reading the instructions.
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変更(へんこう)した上(うえ)、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.
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Online
Books
Tobira
Page 261
A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar
Page 547