Japanese 上で: after doing and in the course of

The idea

Use verb た-form + 上で for a deliberate subsequent action: 読んだ上で質問する. A formal notice can use a verbal noun + の上: 確認の上. Use dictionary-form verb + 上で, or noun + の上で, for what matters in an activity: 働く上で大切.

Examples

• 資料しりょうをよく読よんだ上うえで、質問しつもんしてください。Please read the materials carefully before asking questions.
• 家族かぞくと相談そうだんした上うえで、引ひっ越こしを決きめました。I decided to move after discussing it with my family.
• 内容ないようを確認かくにんの上うえ、お申もうし込こみください。Please check the details before applying.
• 日本にほんで働はたらく上うえで、言葉ことばは大切たいせつです。Language is important when working in Japan.
• 生活せいかつする上うえで、水みずは欠かかせません。Water is essential for daily life.
• 安全あんぜん上じょうの注意ちゅういは、作業さぎょうの上うえで重要じゅうようです。Safety precautions are important in carrying out the work.

Watch out

The first pattern is more deliberate and formal than ordinary た後で; it does not simply describe any chronological sequence. The dictionary form here means “in doing,” not “after doing.”

Try it yourself

1. 資料しりょうを＿＿上うえで、質問しつもんします。（読よむ）

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   読んだ

   読んだ — The completed た-form marks reading as the step before asking.

2. 家族かぞくと＿＿、決きめました。（相談そうだん・の上うえ）

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   相談の上

   相談の上 — A verbal noun plus の上 is a formal way to state the prior step.

3. 日本にほんで＿＿上うえで、言葉ことばは大切たいせつです。（働はたらく）

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   働く

   働く — The dictionary form sets working as the context, not a completed action.

Use it today

Describe a decision made after consultation and one thing essential in studying Japanese.