Japanese word

真上

Pronunciation

Romajimaue

Meaning

  • noundirectly above

Example

時計はドアの真上です。tokei wa do a no ma ue de su

The clock is directly above the door.

Illustration for 真上 (directly above)

More examples

照明がテーブルの真上に取り付けられています。shō mei ga tē bu ru no ma ue ni to ri tsu ke ra re te i ma su

The light is installed directly above the table.

Core concept

Describes a position aligned vertically above a reference point, with no sideways shift.

Common phrases

  • 真上にあるma ue ni a ru

    be directly above

  • 真上を通るma ue o tō ru

    pass directly overhead

Similar words

直上chokujō: A position immediately above a specified point or object, often described in formal writing.
頭上zujō: The space directly above a person's head.

Definition in Japanese

物のすぐ上にあたる位置。mono no su gu ue ni a ta ru i chi

Word origin

真上 (maue) is a native Japanese compound of 真 (ma, "true or exact") and 上 (ue, "above"), with 真 narrowing 上 to the exact position above.

Usage tips

  • English overhead can mean either a position above someone or a business expense, so 真上 (maue) is useful when the intended meaning is only physical position.

Opposites

Word lists with this word