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JLPT N2Formal Expressions

～上/上は/上も— In Terms Of, From the Standpoint Of

Attached to a noun to mean 'from the standpoint of X' or 'in terms of X (aspect/field).' It frames a statement within a particular domain such as law, appearance, health, or business. Read as じょう, it turns a noun into an adverbial 'as far as X goes' phrase.

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Pro lessonUNIT 15 · FORMAL EXPRESSIONS

Structure · 形

[Noun] + 上(じょう)(は/も)

Examples · 例文

  • 法律上、この契約は無効です。

    Hōritsu-jō, kono keiyaku wa mukō desu.

    Legally speaking, this contract is invalid.

    法律 (law) + 上 = 'from a legal standpoint,' framing the judgment that follows.

  • 健康上の理由で、彼は退職した。

    Kenkō-jō no riyū de, kare wa taishoku shita.

    He retired for reasons of health.

    健康 (health) + 上の理由 = 'reasons in terms of health'; 上 links to a noun with の.

  • 経験上、この方法が一番確実だ。

    Keiken-jō, kono hōhō ga ichiban kakujitsu da.

    In my experience, this method is the most reliable.

    経験 (experience) + 上 = 'from the standpoint of experience,' introducing an opinion.

Usage notes · 注意

  • Attaches directly to a Sino-Japanese noun (法律, 教育, 立場, 仕事, 歴史).
  • 上の + noun is common (上の問題 'a problem in terms of ~').
  • Register: formal/written; frequent in business and legal contexts.
  • Do not confuse with 上(うえ) meaning physical 'on top of' — here it is read じょう.

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones ～上/上は/上も is tested against.

vsにおいて

において marks a general field/place/time ('in the area of'); 上(じょう) specifically frames a judgment 'from the standpoint of' a domain like law or health.

vsにとって

にとって expresses a person's subjective viewpoint ('for X'); 上(じょう) states an objective domain-based standpoint (legally, technically).

More formal expressions

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