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上

上 — above, up

Learn the correct stroke order for 上 (above), a 3-stroke kanji.

JLPT N5Grade 13 strokes

Stroke Order

123
Stroke 0 / 3
On'yomi (音読み)ジョウjou、ショウshou、シャンshan
Kun'yomi (訓読み)うえue、-うえue、うわ-uwa、かみkami、あ.げるageru、-あ.げるageru、あ.がるagaru、-あ.がるagaru、あ.がりagari、-あ.がりagari、のぼ.るnoboru、のぼ.りnobori、のぼ.せるnoboseru、のぼ.すnobosu、たてまつ.るtatematsuru
Strokes3
Radical一
Frequency#35
Meaningsabove, up

Step-by-Step Diagram

1
2
3

Try Writing It

Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.

Draw stroke 1 of 3 — start from the green dot

Common Words

以上いじょうnot less than ...; ... and over; ... and above
右上みぎうえupper rightnoun
炎上えんじょうgoing up in flames; destruction by fire (esp. of a large building)noun
屋上おくじょうrooftopnoun
海上かいじょう(on the) sea; surface of the seanoun
机上きじょうon the desknoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 上 (above) is taught in grade 1 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N5 level. It has 3 strokes with radical 一.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 上 is #35, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

以上いじょう — not less than ...; ... and over; ... and above
右上みぎうえ — upper right
炎上えんじょう — going up in flames; destruction by fire (esp. of a large building)

Practice Sheet

Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.

Related Kanji

Same radical (一)

一one七seven丁street三three下below与bestow万ten thousand丈length

Same reading

生life小little

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 上 have?

The kanji 上 (above) has 3 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 上?

上 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.

What does 上 mean?

上 means: above, up. On'yomi readings: ジョウ, ショウ, シャン. Kun'yomi readings: うえ, -うえ, うわ-, かみ, あ.げる, -あ.げる, あ.がる, -あ.がる, あ.がり, -あ.がり, のぼ.る, のぼ.り, のぼ.せる, のぼ.す, たてまつ.る.

What JLPT level is 上?

上 is a JLPT N5 kanji. This is a beginner-level kanji.