～以上(は) — Now That, Given That
Indicates that because a certain fact or situation is true, a natural obligation, resolve, or expectation follows. It means 'now that / since / given that X (is the case), then naturally Y.' The second clause typically expresses determination, duty, advice, or a strong opinion (must, should, want to).
Structure
[Plain form (Verb / い-adj / な-adj である / Noun である)] + 以上(は)
Examples
約束した以上は、必ず守ります。
Yakusoku shita ijō wa, kanarazu mamorimasu.
Now that I've promised, I will absolutely keep my word.
約束した (plain past) + 以上は sets up the fact, followed by the resolve 必ず守ります.
学生である以上、勉強するのは当然だ。
Gakusei de aru ijō, benkyō suru no wa tōzen da.
Given that one is a student, studying is only natural.
学生である (Noun + である) + 以上 leads to the natural expectation 当然だ.
引き受けた以上、最後までやり遂げるつもりだ。
Hikiuketa ijō, saigo made yaritogeru tsumori da.
Now that I've taken it on, I intend to see it through to the end.
引き受けた (plain past) + 以上 followed by つもりだ, a statement of determination.
• The second clause carries obligation/resolve/judgment (べき, なければならない, つもりだ, はずだ, 当然). • With nouns and な-adjectives, use である before 以上. • Register: somewhat formal; common in speeches and writing.
Commonly confused with
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones ～以上(は) is tested against.
vs からには
からには is nearly identical and interchangeable, but 以上は sounds slightly more formal/logical; からには feels a touch more emotional and spoken.
vs 以上に
The comparison 以上に ('more than') is a different structure entirely; 以上(は) here means 'given that' and takes a plain-form clause.
More cause & effect
Study Japanese grammar on LenGaki
Everything on this page, free to browse
- 7,788 JLPT vocabulary words, N5 through N1, with readings and audio
- 2,057 kanji with on'yomi, kun'yomi and stroke-order practice
- 444 grammar points with examples and commonly-confused comparisons
- Full-length N5 and N4 mock exams, timed, with real listening audio
Get the Android app