上
N3かみ
[kami]
Meanings
1.Noun
upper reaches (of a river); upper stream
2.Noun
top; upper part; upper half (of the body)
3.Noun
beginning; first
4.Noun
head (of a table)
Less common meanings (5)
5.NounDated
long ago
6.NounHistorical
person of high rank (e.g. the emperor)
7.NounHistorical
government; imperial court
8.NounHistorical
imperial capital (i.e. Kyoto); capital region (i.e. Kansai); region (or direction of) the imperial palace
9.NounDated
wife; mistress (of a restaurant)
Other Readings
「上」 has other readings with different meanings.
Related Words
Examples
川の上の方に橋がある。
There's a bridge upstream.
上座に座るのは目上の方だ。
The person who sits in the seat of honor is one's superior.
この地域は昔から上と呼ばれて政治の中心だった。
This area has been called 'kami' since old times and was the political center.