InitialJ
N3conditionobligation

～以上は (ijou wa) - As long as / Since

[Verb plain form] + 以上は

Quick answer

[Verb plain form] + 以上は means "As long as / Since / Now that". Mastering this N3 structure builds fluency for reading and listening. Full examples and exercises are below.

Meaning

As long as / Since / Now that

Explanation

Similar to からには, expresses obligation or determination based on a condition.

Examples

生きている以上は、希望を持ち続けよう。
いきているいじょうは、きぼうをもちつづけよう。
As long as we're alive, let's keep hope.
以—by means of上—Top希—Hope望—Hope持—to hold
日本に住む以上は、日本語を学ぶべきだ。
にほんにすむいじょうは、にほんごをまなぶべきだ。
As long as you live in Japan, you should learn Japanese.
本—Book住—to live以—by means of上—Top学—Study

Practice this grammar

[Verb plain form] + 以上は

Which sentence correctly uses "～以上は (ijou wa) - As long as / Since"?

Vocabulary from these examples

持to holdN4以by means ofN4続to continueN3住to liveN4望HopeN3希HopeN2上Top上Upper part上Top希Hope本Book学Study

Last updated Jul 4, 2026