〜上（じょう）

About

〜上じょう can attach to a noun to express that the following statement is made "from X standpoint" or "from the point of view of Y".

Since 上じょう is used as a suffix in this pattern, it does not require の to attach to the preceding noun.

In English, 〜上 can be approximated as "from the standpoint of (noun)", or "from X point of view; from a(n) X standpoint; for the sake of X; -ly speaking...".

(Noun)上じょう is a bit formal in tone, but can be used in all scenarios, from polite/casual spoken scenarios to formal written ones.

E.g. コインを投なげて100回ひゃっかい連続れんぞくで表おもてを出だすことは、理論りろん上じょう可能かのうだが、実際じっさいにはほぼ不可能ふかのうだ。 "In theory, flipping a coin and getting heads 100 times in a row is possible, but in reality it's basically impossible."

E.g. 部長ぶちょうとは、仕事しごと上じょうの付つき合あいしかありません。"Their relationship with the section chief might just be work-related."

E.g. 統計とうけい上じょう、女性じょせいの平均へいきん寿命じゅみょうは、男性だんせいより長ながい。 "Statistically speaking, the average female lifespan is longer than the average male lifespan."

The 〜上じょう suffix can only attach to certain nouns, so it's best to think of them as set phrases.

Summary

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  〜上じょう can attach to a noun to express that the following statement is made "from X standpoint" or "from the point of view of Y"

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  (Noun)上じょう is a bit formal in tone, but can be used in casual/polite scenarios as well