〜上は (~ue wa) — now that (with firm resolve)
'Having done this, there is no turning back' — 「引き受けた上は、最後まで責任を持つ」(having accepted, I will be responsible to the end).
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
When to use it
- In a speech or in writing, announcing a firm decision: 「リーダーを引き受けた上は、最後まで責任を持たなければならない」.
- The old phrase 「かくなる上は…」(now that it has come to this…) is this same form.
Meaning
「〜上は」= like 「からには」「以上(は)」— 'now that this is so, naturally I must' — but the most formal, written and iron-willed.
How to attach
Only on a verb's dictionary or た-form: 引き受けた上は・こうなった上は
Versus what you know
「からには」is the everyday spoken one; 「以上(は)」is more serious; 「上は」is the most formal.
Watch out
- It does not attach to nouns or adjectives — only a verb's dictionary or た-form.
- No plain description or finished event afterwards — only decision, duty or resolve.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
リーダーを引き受けた上は、最後まで責任を持たなければならない。
リーダーをひきうけたうえは、さいごまでせきにんをもたなければならない。
Having accepted the role of leader, I must carry the responsibility to the end.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 引き受けた = I accepted (Vた) → 「上は」, the most formal one → then the duty: 〜なければならない.
会社を辞めると決めた上は、もう迷わない。
かいしゃをやめるときめたうえは、もうまよわない。
Now that I have decided to quit the company, I won't waver anymore.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 決めた = I decided (Vた) → 「上は」 = now that I've done it → then firm resolve: もう迷わない.
こうなった上は、自分の力でやるしかない。
こうなったうえは、じぶんのちからでやるしかない。
Now that it has come to this, I have no choice but to do it on my own.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) こうなった = it has come to this (Vた) → 「上は」 → then "this is the only way now": やるしかない (today's version of the old 「かくなる上は」).
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
Which of the three is the most formal, written form?
💡 Hint: かくなる〜…
上は is the stiffest and most written; からには is everyday speech; 以上は sits between.
「留学すると決めた_、どんなに大変でも最後までやりぬく。」— fill the blank.
💡 Hint: 'Now that I have decided' — firm resolve follows.
Vた + 上は = now that I have: 決めた上は. 「上に」means 'on top of that' (a different meaning).
Which sentence is unnatural?
💡 Hint: What follows 上は?
上は is followed by resolve or duty; a plain description like 「毎日暇だった」does not fit.
Your score: /3