Above
上
Above / On
Kun-yomi 🇯🇵:
うえ (ue)
(Japanese reading)On-yomi 🇨🇳:
ジョウ (jou)
(Chinese-derived reading)
Pronunciation rules
- うえ (ue) is the kun-yomi used when the kanji stands alone meaning "above" or "on".
- ジョウ (jou) is the on-yomi used in compounds like 水上 (すいじょう, suijou: on water).
- As a verb, it reads as あがる (agaru: to go up) or あげる (ageru: to raise).
Examples
Kun-yomiNative Japanese Readings
うえ に あります。
It's above.
Uses kun-yomi うえ (ue) when the kanji stands alone meaning above/on
あがります。
I go up.
Uses kun-yomi あがる (agaru) as a verb meaning to go up
うわぎ を きます。
I wear a jacket.
Uses kun-yomi うわ (uwa) in compound 上着
On-yomiSino-Japanese Readings
すいじょうスキー を します。
I do water-skiing.
Uses on-yomi ジョウ (jou) in compound 水上
Quick facts
- Radical: 一 (one)
- Strokes: 3
- Common compounds: 上着 (うわぎ, uwagi), 水上 (すいじょう, suijou), 上がる (あがる, agaru)
- ⚠️ Reading usage:
- Standalone: うえ (ue) - above, on
- In compounds: じょう (jou) or うわ (uwa)
- As verb: あがる (agaru) - to go up
Key Words
上 - above, on
上がる - to go up
水上スキー - water-skiing
上着 - jacket