GrammarJLPT N5
いじょう
→ not less than ...
Not Less Than / The Above / Now That (Since)
JLPT N5SuffixNeutral
以上 is a versatile word with several distinct functions. In its most basic use, it attaches to numbers or quantities to mean "not less than" or "... and over," indicating a minimum threshold that includes the stated number (e.g., 三人以上 means "three or more people"). It can also function as a noun meaning "the above" or "the foregoing," commonly used to wrap up a list, presentation, or document. Additionally, 以上 can mean "beyond" when describing something that exceeds expectations or a certain level. Perhaps its most grammatically interesting use is as a conjunction meaning "now that" or "since," where it follows a plain-form clause and expresses the idea that because a certain situation is already the case, a natural consequence or obligation follows. This conjunctive use is similar to からには and 上は, but 以上 carries a slightly more formal or decisive tone. The word 以下 ("not more than / below") is its direct antonym for the numerical sense.
Functions
#1 Indicating a minimum quantity (not less than / ... and over)
Structure
Number + 以上
この映画は十八歳以上の人しか見られません。
Here 以上 attaches to the number 十八歳 (18 years old) to indicate a threshold of "18 and above," meaning the stated number is included. This is the most common and straightforward use of 以上, setting a minimum value. It is important to remember that the number before 以上 is included in the range, so 十八歳以上 includes 18-year-olds themselves.Only people aged 18 and over can watch this movie.
Structures
- Number / Quantity
- Number + 以上
- Noun (the above / beyond)
- 以上 (standalone noun)
- Conjunction (now that / since)
- Verb (plain form) + 以上(は)
Common mistakes
A common error is confusing 以上 with 以下: 以上 means the stated number and above, while 以下 means the stated number and below. Both include the number itself, which surprises learners who expect "more than" to exclude the number (for "more than" excluding the number, Japanese uses ～を超える or ～より多い). Another frequent mistake is using 以上 in the conjunctive sense ("now that / since") with casual or trivial situations; this usage implies a weighty consequence or firm resolution, so using it for everyday minor decisions sounds unnatural. Learners also sometimes confuse the conjunctive 以上 with 以上に (beyond/more than), which has a completely different function — the former introduces a reason-consequence relationship while the latter compares degrees.
Related
以下以内以外上はからには