311 - うえで (after having)

JLPT N2 Grammar Point 上で(うえで

上で is a compound particle often translated as “after having,” “after,” or “upon.”

The construction is this:

Vpast (た)+ 上で
Noun + の + 上で

For example:

話した上で
はなした うえで
after talking

調査の上で
ちょうさ の うえで
after the investigation


Two Actions

All in all, it is a pretty simple grammar point. When to use it is the hard part.

In a sentence using 上で, there are 2 distinct actions taking place: (1) a preliminary action and (2) a second action (based on the preliminary action's results/outcome). The sentences look like this:

“preliminary action 上で second action”

Though this is not always the case, it is often used when the second action is an important decision. Here is an example sentence to make it a bit more clear:

医者との相談の上で、手術をすることに決めた。
いしゃ と の そうだん の うえで、 しゅじゅつ を する こと に きめた。
After I consulted with the doctor, I decided to have the surgery.
Literally: “doctor + と + の + consultation + の + after + surgery + を + do + こと + に + decided”

In the above sentence, the preliminary action is the consultation with the doctor. After having completed that action (上で), the second action is deciding on the surgery. More often than not, 上で sentences revolve around making decisions.

Note that this is used in both spoken and written Japanese.


Here are a few more example sentences:


ご入金が確認できた上で、商品を発送いたします。
ごにゅうきん が かくにん できた うえで、 しょうひん を はっそう いたします。
After we are able to confirm the deposit, we will ship the item.
Literally: “deposit + が + confirm + able to + after + item + を + ship + do”


ご予約をした上で、ご来店ください。
ごよやく を した うえで、 ごらいてん ください。
After making the reservation, please come to the store.
Literally: “reservation + を + did + after + come to the store + please”


旅行を延期にしたのは、姉の体調を考慮した上での決断だ。
りょこう を えんき に した の は、 あね の たいちょう を こうりょ した うえで の けつだん だ。
About postponing the trip---I decided to do so after taking my (elder) sister’s health into consideration.
Literally: “trip + を + postponement + did + のは + older sister + の + physical condition + を + take into consideration + did + after + の + decision + だ”


As you can see in the above sentences, the same two actions are taking place, first a preliminary action, then second action based on or resulting from the preliminary action.

Now see if you can make some of your own sentences using the 上で construction.


This lesson was written by Cassy L., a guest contributor:


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