Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 2: 20/23

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 (23 in total)

      • PierreRene

        PierreRene

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

      • Isurandil492

        Isurandil492

        The structure section explains that the use requires the で, yet the last (real) example sentence is:

        以下のリンクからログインの上、内容変更をしてください。

        It does not contain highlighting for the grammar part as well. Can someone explain this discrepancy?

      • Fuga

        Fuga

        Hey @Isurandil492 !

        This looked like a typo on our end so I have just fixed this! However, just like many other grammar points, you may see this grammar point used in the wild with the particle で omitted!

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