L28. Daily Japanese Kanji — Day 28: 上
Days 21-30
R-report
[Day 28] 上 - up / above
The character 上 means "up," "above," or "on top of." It is used for physical position (something is above), for direction (to go up), and in many compounds that mean "upper" or "previous." Readings: On'yomi and Kun'yomi are both common — On'yomi appears in compounds like 上司 (じょうし / jōshi — boss) or 上旬 (じょうじゅん / jōjun — early part of the month); Kun'yomi appears when the character stands alone or with particles, e.g., 上 (うえ / ue — above), 上がる (あがる / agaru — to rise). Mnemonic tip: imagine a short line above a longer base line — the short mark at the top is "上" (something sits on top).
Readings
On'yomi: **ジョウ / ショウ** (jō / shō) Kun'yomi: **うえ, うわ, あがる, あげる, のぼる, かみ** (ue, uwa, agaru, ageru, noboru, kami)
Related words
- 上（うえ / ue） — above. - 箱は棚の**上**にあります。 (Hako wa tana no **ue** ni arimasu.) (The box is on the shelf.)
- 上がる（あがる / agaru） — to rise; to go up. - エレベーターが**上がります**。 (Erebētā ga **agarimasu**.) (The elevator goes up.)
- 上げる（あげる / ageru） — to raise; to give (transitive). - 手を**上げて**ください。 (Te o **agete** kudasai.) (Please raise your hand.)
- 上手（じょうず / jōzu） — skillful; good at. - 彼女はピアノが**上手**です。 (Kanojo wa piano ga **jōzu** desu.) (She is good at the piano.)
- 上着（うわぎ / uwagi） — jacket; outer garment. - 寒いから**上着**を着てください。 (Samui kara **uwagi** o kite kudasai.) (It's cold, so please wear your jacket.)