上
above · up
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
⺊ + one
Cultural Context
Etymology
Indicative character with a dot above a baseline.
Symbolism
Improvement, superiority, heaven. Represents aspiration to aim higher.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
上意下達
じょういかたつ
conveying the will of the governing to the governed; top-down (system); conveying the will of the governing to the governed
至上命令
しじょうめいれい
unconditional command; must-obey order; unconditional command
下意上達
かいじょうたつ
conveyance of the views of those below to those at the top; conveyance of the views of those below to those at the top
屋上架屋
おくじょうかおく
gilding the lily; adding redundant things; gilding the lily
蝸牛角上
かぎゅうかくじょう
trifling (fight); (a conflict) between small countries; trifling (fight)
貴賤上下
きせんしょうか
high and low; (people of) all ranks and classes; high and low
一上一下
いちじょういちげ
going up and down; going up and down
一筆啓上
いっぴつけいじょう
this will just be a short note; I'm writing to tell you; this will just be a short note
汚名返上
おめいへんじょう
clearing one's name; redeeming oneself; restoring one's honor; clearing one's name
錦上添花
きんじょうてんか
adding a crowning touch of beauty (to); giving added luster (to); crowning beauty (honor, grace) with even greater glory; adding a crowning touch of beauty (to)
史上空前
しじょうくうぜん
unprecedented in history; unheard-of; epoch-making; unprecedented in history
天上天下
てんじょうてんげ
the whole world; throughout heaven and earth; the whole world
盗人上戸
ぬすびとじょうご
person who likes alcohol and sweets equally well; person who can drink much alcohol without becoming tipsy; person who likes alcohol and sweets equally well
下学上達
かがくじょうたつ
beginning one's studies with something familiar and gradually increasing the depth of learning; beginning one's studies with something familiar and gradually increasing the depth of learning
Proverbs & Idioms
上には上がある
うえにはうえがある
There is always someone above
No matter how good you are, there is always someone better
上を下への大騒ぎ
うえをしたへのおおさわぎ
Great commotion turning everything upside down
Complete chaos and confusion