上手(うわて)

うわて
noun
upper hand; superior; upstream side
abstract
1. upper hand; superior position; being better than
Used in 〜より上手(うわて)だ to mean someone or something is superior to another. Often used for skill, cunning, or strategic position.
彼(かれ)のほうが一枚(いちまい)上手(うわて)だ。
He is one step ahead (the better one).
相手(あいて)のほうが上手(うわて)だった。
The opponent was better than us.
交渉(こうしょう)では、経験(けいけん)豊富(ほうふ)な彼女(かのじょ)のほうが一枚(いちまい)上手(うわて)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(かわ)の上手(うわて)に橋(はし)がある。
There's a bridge upstream on the river.
風(かぜ)の上手(うわて)に立(た)つと煙(けむり)が来(こ)ない。
If you stand on the upwind side, the smoke won't reach you.
劇場(げきじょう)では、舞台(ぶたい)の上手(かみて)と下手(しもて)という呼(よ)び方(かた)を使(つか)うこともある。
In theaters, the terms 'kamite' (the audience's right side of the stage) and 'shimote' (the audience's left) are sometimes used.

Same kanji as 上手(じょうず) (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 the right side of the stage as seen from the audience (stage left in English theater terms) and the upper reaches of a river in formal contexts.

Common collocations

  • 一枚(いちまい)上手(うわて): one step ahead; one cut above
  • 上手(うわて)に出(で)る: to take a high-handed attitude
  • 上手(うわて)投(な)げ: overhand throw (also a sumo technique)
  • 川(かわ)の上手(うわて): upstream

Similar words

  • 上手(じょうず): skilled — same kanji, different reading; describes a person's ability
  • 下手(したて): lower/inferior position — antonym of うわて (sense 1)
  • 下手(しもて): downstream; the audience's left side of the stage (stage right) — antonym of かみて

Related Words

Related: 上手(じょうず) (skilled (same kanji, different reading))
general
Added 2026.5.12 13:10 · Revised 2026.10.12 16:10
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