第308課: Nominal Phrases I: 上 & 分
上
As a basic noun, 上 means “top/surface/above”. In 上に it is used as the native version of 以上に.
| 1. | の上 shows something in concern with X. |
| 2. | のうえに it shows the basis for something to be established–upon. |
| 3. | した・のうえで means “after” or “as an effect of”. |
| 4. | したうえに and な・のうえに mean “in addition to”. |
| 5. | Aのうえに（も）A shows the seriousness of the degree of something. |
| 6. | かくなるうえは and する・したうえは mean “since it became this such”. |
| 7. | の上 is after the calling name of a superior or the wife of an aristocrat. |
Usage Note: 上 may also be used as a suffix when placed after family members and is used in respect to a superior’s family.
Orthography Note: Notice the usages below where its left in かな.
Examples
1. 風船が上へ上へと昇った。
The balloon went up and up.
2. 空の上から下界を望む。
To see the world from the sky.
3. 母上
Mother (of a superior)
4. 坂の上に足跡が残っています。
There are footprints remaining on the surface of the slope.
5. 数のうえでは圧倒的な状態だ。
It’s an overwhelming situation concerning the numbers.
6. 今日の繁栄は国民の努力の上に築かれているはずです。
Today’s prosperity should be being built upon the efforts of the people.
7. 十分に事件を勘案したうえで返事します。
I will reply after sufficiently considering the matter.
8. 忙しい上に給料まで減っている。
In addition to being busy, even my wages are going down.
9. ご協力頂けるとは好都合のうえにも好都合でございます。
Receiving your cooperation is beyond expedient.
10. かくなるうえは覚悟を決めよう。
As it has become this, let’s prepare for the worst.
11. この上ともよろしくお願いします。
Please treat me kindly from here on.
12. 二条院の上。
Nijouin
13. 無職であるうえに、家もない。
If you’re unemployed, you also don’t have a house.
分
分 is a tough character to learn how to read correctly. Although ぶん isn’t all that difficult, it does present a challenge. After a number, we know that ～分 is used in fractions. For example, ８分の６ ＝ 6/8.
It can also mean “amount” or “degree” as in “one’s lot”. It is this definition that may cause an advanced student to become confused. In the pattern …分だけ it means “in proportion to”, being based off the latter meaning. The use of だけ is optional, but its appearance could be enough to throw you off.
Examples
14. 彼は飲んだ分だけ、吐いちゃった。
He ended up throwing up just as much as he drank.
15. 皿は洗ったぶんだけきれいに見えるってわけじゃないよ。
It’s not that the dishes look just as clean as they were washed.
16. 君の分はこれだけだ。
Your share is just this.
17. 高く登った分だけ、落ちたとき痛い。
The higher you climb, the harder you fall.
18. この分では終わらないだろう。
At this rate we won’t finish.