connective N2 common politewritten
〜以上(は) — now that / since ~
〜以上(は) ・ いじょうは
Meaning
- now that ~ / since ~ / given that ~ — once a fact is established, what naturally or necessarily follows (resolve, duty, expectation)
Key sentence
約束した以上は、必ず守る。
Now that I've promised, I will definitely keep it.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb / adjective (plain); Noun + である | V(plain) + 以上は; N + である以上は | 引き受けた以上は / 学生である以上は |
When: Formal-leaning; the second clause typically expresses obligation, determination, or a natural consequence (〜なければならない, 〜べきだ, 〜はずだ).
Examples
日本で働く以上、日本語は欠かせない。
Since I'm going to work in Japan, Japanese is indispensable.
やると決めた以上は、最後までやり遂げよう。
Now that I've decided to do it, let's see it through to the end.
Easily confused with
〜ので ので gives a plain, neutral cause ('because ~'). 以上は adds 'given this established fact, it's only natural/obligatory that ~' — a stronger, more committal logic than a simple reason. 〜以上に Same 以上, different particle and meaning: 以上は is 'now that / since' (reason), while 以上に is 'more than / even more than' (comparison). Don't mix them up.
See 〜以上(は) in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜以上(は) the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.