目上|めうえmeue[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounsuperior; superiors; senior
   目上めうえの人ひとには礼儀れいぎ正ただしくしなければならない。↗

   You must be polite to your elders.

• Synonym先輩せんぱいNeutralA senior at school or work, as in 「部活の先輩」; the emphasis is on who joined or started first. 「目上」 covers anyone above you in status or age, not just seniority.
• Synonym年上としうえNeutralRefers purely to being older in age, as in 「三つ年上の姉」; age is all it conveys, with no nuance of rank or status.
• Synonym年長ねんちょうNeutralBeing older in age, as in 「年長者」; also the oldest class at kindergarten. A matter of age, not rank.
• Synonym上長じょうちょうWrittenA written-style word for one's superior or boss; rare in ordinary use.
• Synonym年長者ねんちょうしゃNeutralAn older person, as in 「年長者を敬う」; the tone leans somewhat formal.
• Synonym長上ちょうじょうWrittenA written-style word for one's elders and superiors; rare, and in daily conversation 「目上」 is the normal choice.
• Related上席じょうせきFormalA formal term for the seat of honor or a higher rank, and by extension for those holding that rank; centred on position rather than age.
• Related古参こさんNeutralA long-serving veteran of a workplace or group, as in 「古参社員」; the emphasis is on how long someone has been there, not age or rank.
• RelatedシニアNeutralA loanword for the elderly or for senior members, as in 「シニア世代」; mostly seen in business contexts.
• Related年嵩としかさWrittenA written-style word for being older in age; rare in everyday use.
• Antonym目下めしたNeutralThe antonym of 「目上」: people below you in status or age, such as one's subordinates.

For someone above you in status or age, 「目上」 is the default, as in 「目上の人に敬語を使う」. Use 「年上」 when only age matters, 「先輩」 for seniors at school or work, and 「古参」 for long-serving veterans. 「目下」 is the opposite. 「長上」「上長」「年嵩」 are rare written-style words, 「上席」 is formal, and 「シニア」 is a loanword common in business.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. (めうえ)地位ちい・年齢ねんれいなどが自分じぶんより高たかいこと。また、その人ひと。