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Grammar detail: 上下

上下
じょうげ/うえした and more
140 words
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上下 is a common word combining two extremely common kanji - 上 (up) and 下 (down).
The expected reading, using the most common on readings of the kanji, is the most common: じょうげ. This is used when referring to upper and lower parts or locations.
かれ
彼
は
はた
旗
を
じょうげ
上下
に
うご
動
かした
。
He moved the flags up and down.
じしん
地震
では
じめん
地面
は
じょうげ
上下
、そして
よこ
横
に
ゆ
揺
れる
。
In an earthquake, the ground can shake up and down, or back and forth.
The second 'expected' reading, using the most common kun readings, is うえした. However this reading is not as commonly used. When used to mean 'upside down', it requires an auxiliary word such as
ぎゃく
逆
to indicate the meaning.
うえした
上下
が
ぎゃく
逆
だ。
It's upside down.
It is helpful to be familiar with the term
じょうげかんけい
上下関係
. This refers to heirarchical relationships; literally the upper and lower. It is important in the workplace, sporting teams and other such social environments to be aware that 上下関係 often determines the ways of interacting between people of varying ranks.
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Kanji used in this grammar

上
ジョウ   ショウ   うえ above   うわ- above   あげる to raise   あがる to rise   かみ first half, upper part   のぼる to climb   のぼせる to bring up, to raise   のぼす to bring up   
下
カ   ゲ   した below, under   しも bottom part   もと under (influence)   さげる to lower, to reduce   さがる to be lowered   くだる to descend   くだす to judge   くださる to give   おろす to drop off (passenger)   おりる to get off (train)   
逆
ギャク    reverse, converse   さからう to go against, to oppose   さか upside down   
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関
カン   せき barrier   かかわる to be connected   
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係
ケイ   in charge   かかり charge, duty   かかる to relate to   
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彼
ヒ   かれ he   
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旗
キ   はた flag, banner   
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動
ドウ   うごく to move, to stir   うごかす to shift, to move   
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地
チ   ジ    ground   
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震
シン   ふるう    ふるえる to tremble, to shake   
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面
メン   おもて mask, features, surface   おも surface   つら face   
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横
オウ   よこ side   
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揺
ヨウ   ゆる    ゆする    ゆさぶる    ゆすぶる to shake (something)   ゆれる    ゆるぐ to tremble, to shake   ゆらぐ to be (emotionally) shaken   
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