以上 ①
More than (or equal to), Over・(and) above, Any more・Greater, Exceeding
Structure
それ(1) + 以上
(1) これ、あれ
Explanation
To express the idea of 'A or more', you can use 以上. This word is formed by the kanji 以, meaning 'with' or 'by means of', and 上, meaning 'above'. It can also be understood as 'at least (A)' or 'not less than (A)'.
When using 以上, it directly follows the noun or value that represents the minimum threshold or starting point.
- 十八歳以上の人だけがお酒を飲めます。Only people 18 years of age or older can drink alcohol.
- この図書館には十万冊以上の本があります。There are over 100,000 books in this library.
以上 also functions as a set phrase to signal that one has finished speaking or listing items. It is often translated as 'that is all' or 'that concludes my statement'.
- ええと、オレンジジュースを二つと、サンドイッチをお願いします。店内で。以上です。Um, I'll have two orange juices and a sandwich, please. For here. That will be all.
While a direct translation like 'that is the end' might seem abrupt in English, this is a perfectly polite and common way to conclude in Japanese. It literally conveys the meaning, 'what was stated above is everything'.
Examples
このパソコンは５万円以上しました。
This computer cost more than 50,000 yen.
１８歳以上。
Ages 18 and over. (and older)
もうお腹がいっぱいで、これ以上は食べられない。
I'm already full, I can't eat any more (than this).
これ以上待つのはごめんだ。
I refuse to wait any longer than this.
その話はそれ以上しないでください。
Please don't talk about that any further.
それ以上入れると、袋が破れるよ。
If you put in any more than that, the bag will break.
もう疲れて、これ以上は働けません。
I'm so tired, I can't work any more than this.
今月は本を１０冊以上読みました。
This month, I read over 10 books. (more than)
会議は３時間以上かかりました。
The meeting took over three hours.
２０キロ以上のお荷物には追加料金がかかります。
There is an extra charge for baggage weighing 20 kilograms or more.
この市には１００万人以上の人が住んでいます。
More than a million people live in this city.
この仕事には５年以上の経験が必要です。
This job requires at least 5 years of experience. (5 years or more)