Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 2: 9/24

(うえ)Once, Since, Now that, As long as

Formal! Rarely used in modern Japanese (old-fashioned)
Use からには and 以上は instead.

Structure

Verb[る] + (うえ)
Verb[た] + (うえ)

Details

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    Formal

About 上は

A fairly old-fashioned phrase, (うえ) highlights that something is being done or considered as a result of (A). It may be interpreted as 'once (A), (B)', 'since (A), (B)', 'now that (A), (B)', or 'as long as (A), (B)'. In these meanings, (B) will always be something that is deemed as either obvious or necessary.

(うえ) in this phrase is a noun, and will be attached to the adverbial particle は. This creates a literal meaning that is similar to 'over and above (A), (B)'. This 'over and above' has a similar nuance to 'with that said', or 'all things considered' in English, and just presents (A) as something that is finalized.

This structure follows verbs in the standard form.

Due to (うえ) being quite old-fashioned, expressions like からには or 以上(いじょう) will be heard more frequently in modern-day Japanese, and will carry a similar meaning.

Examples

--:--

    かくなる(うえ)きさまを(ころ)すしかない。(いま)すぐ。

    Since it has come to this, I have no choice but to kill you. Immediately.

    (なに)かをし(はじ)める(うえ)(ただ)しくやらなければならない。

    Once you start doing something, you have to do it properly.

    日本(にほん)()(うえ)勉強(べんきょう)するつもりです。

    Now that I have come to Japan, I intend to study.

    卒業(そつぎょう)した(うえ)より大人(おとな)らしくなるべきだ。

    Now that I have graduated, I should act more like an adult.

    市長(しちょう)になった(うえ)住民(じゅうみん)のために(なに)かをしてあげたいです。

    Now that I am mayor, I want to do something for the citizens.

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