Japanese word

頭上

Pronunciation

Romajizujō

Meaning

  • nounoverhead

Example

頭上に鳥が飛んでいます。zu jō ni tori ga to n de i ma su

A bird is flying overhead.

Illustration for 頭上 (overhead)

More examples

頭上から雨が静かに降ってきました。zu jō ka ra ame ga shizu ka ni fu tte ki ma shi ta

Rain began to fall gently from overhead.

Core concept

Describes the space or position directly above a person's head, with attention to what is overhead.

Common phrases

  • 頭上を飛ぶzu jō o to bu

    fly overhead

  • 頭上に浮かぶzu jō ni u ka bu

    float overhead

Similar words

真上maue: The place located directly above a person or object.
上方kamigata: The area or direction that is higher than a particular point.
上空jōkū: The part of the sky above a particular place or area.

Definition in Japanese

人の頭の真上に当たる空間や位置。hito no atama no ma ue ni a ta ru kū kan ya i chi

Word origin

The compound 頭上 (zujō) combines 頭 (zu, "head") and 上 (jō, "above").

Usage tips

  • English overhead can also mean regular business costs, while 頭上 (zujō) refers specifically to the physical space or position above a person's head.

Opposites

Word lists with this word