1.
upper hand; superior position; being better than
Used in 〜より{上手だ} to mean someone or something is superior to another. Often used for skill, cunning, or strategic position.
彼のほうが一枚上手だ。
He is one step ahead (the better one).
相手のほうが上手だった。
The opponent was better than us.
交渉では、経験豊富な彼女のほうが一枚上手だった。
In the negotiations, she—being more experienced—was one step ahead.
2.
upper side; upstream; upper part
The upper or higher side of something — upstream of a river, the upper part of a stage, or the side closer to a reference point.
川の上手に橋がある。
There's a bridge upstream on the river.
風の上手に立つと煙が来ない。
If you stand on the upwind side, the smoke won't reach you.
劇場では、舞台の上手と下手という呼び方を使うこともある。
In theaters, the terms 'kamite' (stage right) and 'shimote' (stage left) are sometimes used.
Same kanji as 上手 (skilled), but different reading and meaning. {うわて} means 'one step above (in skill, cunning, etc.)' or refers to the upper/upstream side. A third reading {かみて} is used specifically for stage right and the upper reaches of a river in formal contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 一枚上手: one step ahead; one cut above
- 上手に出る: to take a high-handed attitude
- 上手投げ: overhand throw (also a sumo technique)
- 川の上手: upstream
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 上手: skilled — same kanji, different reading; describes a person's ability
- 下手: lower/inferior position — antonym of うわて (sense 1)
- 下手: downstream; stage left — antonym of かみて