以上 question

[Stefan]

So I know that the easier meaning (at least to me) of 以上 is more than, above, exceedingly

like ---> １８歳以上の者はだれでも大人としてみなされる。


but now that I understand how that portion works can someone explain the more complicated meaning of since, as long as, once.... meaning to me?

[Ongakuka]

Yes, I think that meaning is a little more difficult to grasp because we don't have a word that carries out that function in English (at least I don't think we do..?)

This construction is made by putting the word 以上 after a past tense verb, which means 'now that *verb* has happened...'

The simplest example I can find is こうなった以上、(blah blah blah.) 'Now/since things have become this way..blah blah.'

Note that a past tense verb followed by 以上 could have the first meaning, for example 思った以上に強い (the meaning is pretty obvious by context.)

[Stefan]

Thanks.

So if it's V-past makes its "since, now that"

im assuming if its with V-dic form it makes it " as long as" right?

[Ongakuka]

Dictionary form plus 以上 is the same in that it could be meaning 1 or 2, but I feel that it is more commonly a verb in past tense... maybe. Anyway examples:

１．More than. 食べる以上に作るのが好きだ　（I think this would typically be expressed as 食べるより作るのが好き。 Using 以上 has a stronger sense of 'more' 'above'

2. As long as, since. 日本で生きていく以上、日本の法律に従わなくてはならない (I edited this example)

以上 is a tricky phrase for me so I hope this information is correct.

[Stefan]

ありがとうございます