Now that: 〜上は
Verb (dictionary／た) + 上は
Verb (often in た) + 上は: “now that…”, followed by a resolution or a duty. The most formal form, alongside 以上は and からには.
In short
〜上は (うえは) starts from a decision or situation that's now settled and draws a firm resolution from it: “now that…, since…”. What follows expresses a duty, determination or advice (〜なければならない, 〜つもりだ, 〜べきだ, 〜しかない). It's the most formal of three related constructions (上は, 以上は, からには): you find it in speeches, letters and solemn declarations.
- 引き受けた上は、最後まで責任を持ってやります。ひきうけたうえは、さいごまでせきにんをもってやります。Now that I've accepted, I'll take responsibility for it to the end.
- 試合に出ると決めた上は、全力で戦うしかない。しあいにでるときめたうえは、ぜんりょくでたたかうしかない。Since I've decided to compete, all I can do is fight with everything I've got.
- こうなった上は、社長に直接話すしかない。こうなったうえは、しゃちょうにちょくせつはなすしかない。Now that things have come to this, the only option is to speak to the president directly.
The basics
Here 上 has the abstract sense of “on the basis of”. 〜上は sets out an accomplished fact (I've accepted, I've decided, this is the situation) and draws the consequence that's binding on oneself: I'll take it on, I'll see it through. The tone is serious and resolute.
Now that I've accepted, I'll take responsibility for it to the end.
- verb
- grammatical form
- noun
- 家族の反対を押し切って上京した上は、成功するまで帰れない。かぞくのはんたいをおしきってじょうきょうしたうえは、せいこうするまでかえれない。Now that I've moved to Tokyo against my family's wishes, I can't go home until I've succeeded.
How to form it
上は follows a verb, mostly in the た past (a decision taken, a settled situation), sometimes in the dictionary form (a decision about to be carried out). The fixed expression こうなった上は (“things having come to this”) is very common.
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb-た + 上は | a decision or settled fact | 引き受けた上は |
| Verb (dictionary) + 上は | a decision to carry out | 会社をやめる上は |
| こうなった上は | “now that it's come to this” | こうなった上は、やるしかない |
- 会社をやめる上は、次の仕事を早く見つけなければならない。かいしゃをやめるうえは、つぎのしごとをはやくみつけなければならない。Since I'm leaving the company, I need to find another job quickly.
- こうなった上は、覚えるしかない。こうなったうえは、おぼえるしかない。Now that it's come to this, there's nothing for it but to learn it by heart.
A committed follow-up
The second part always takes a stance: duty (なければならない, べきだ), intention (つもりだ), the only way out (しかない), or advice. A simple statement or a past emotion is impossible: ×選ばれた上は、うれしかった.
- 日本で働くと決めた上は、日本の商習慣を学ぶべきだ。にほんではたらくときめたうえは、にほんのしょうしゅうかんをまなぶべきだ。Once you've decided to work in Japan, you ought to learn Japanese business customs.
上は, 以上は, からには, and the other 上
The three constructions mean almost the same thing. 上は is the most written and solemn, 以上は is neutral and logical (rules, reasoning), からには is the most spoken and personal. Watch out for the other uses of 上: 〜た上で “after doing…” (you do A, then B) and 〜上に “on top of”.
| Form | Meaning | Register |
|---|---|---|
| 〜上は | now that, since | very formal, written |
| 〜以上（は） | since, given that | neutral, reasoning |
| 〜からには | now that, seeing as | more spoken, personal |
| 〜た上で | after doing…, then | neutral |
| 〜上に | on top of | neutral |
- よく相談した上で、決めます。よくそうだんしたうえで、きめます。I'll decide after talking it over properly.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up 上は (now that) with 上で (after doing) and 上に (on top of): the particle changes everything.
- Ending with a simple statement: what follows must be a resolution, a duty or a way out.
- Using it in relaxed conversation: it's very formal; in speech, go for からには.
7 exercises on this point
Particles to choose, sentences to put back in order, translations: marked straight away, then reviewed at the right time. This JLPT N2 point is on the Sakura-dōri Line (Law and safety) of the Nagoya lines.