Meaning

Primary

Above

Alternatives

Up, Over

Word Type

noun, suffix

Explanation

When a vocab word is a single kanji and alone, it tends to steal the meaning from the kanji. Same goes for this one too. It means above or up.

Reading

うえ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

When a vocab word is a single kanji and doesn't have okurigana (hiragana attached to the kanji) it usually will use the kun'yomi. Since you learned the on'yomi reading of the kanji, we'll need to use a mnemonic to learn the reading of this vocabulary word.

Above you is a huge weight. You're holding it up and struggling (it's heavy!). You look up and try to crane your neck to see how much it weighs (うえ), but you can't see the numbers on the side of it. How long can you hold it above your head like this?

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 上の人

    superior, person who lives upstairs

    上のレベル

    the level above

    上の二つ

    the top two

Context Sentences

山の上でヨガをしたいね。

I want to do yoga on top of a mountain.

上のフロアにキッチンがあります。

There is a kitchen on the floor above.

リビングルームの上にロフトがあります。

There is a loft above the living room.

Kanji Composition