上
up; on; above; previous
shàng
What does 上 mean?
上 (shàng) is one of the most versatile characters in Chinese. As a location word it means 'on / on top of / above' (桌子上 'on the table'); as a directional verb it means 'to go up / get on' (上车 'get in a car,' 上山 'go up the mountain'); as a time word it means 'last / previous' (上个星期 'last week'). In compound verbs and nouns 上 appears everywhere: 上课 'attend class,' 上班 'go to work,' 上网 'go online,' 早上 'morning,' 上面 'above / the top.'
Two things to know: first, when 上 marks location it normally follows the noun (桌子上, not 上桌子). Second, 上 vs 下 ('down / below / next') and 上 vs 上海 (the city) share the character but rely on context.
Character breakdown
up; above; on top
Memory hook: 上 has a short stroke ABOVE a long horizontal line — a thing sitting 'on top' of a surface.
Example sentences
书在桌子上。
Shū zài zhuōzi shàng.
The book is on the table.
neutral
我早上八点上班。
Wǒ zǎoshang bā diǎn shàng bān.
I go to work at eight in the morning.
neutral
上个星期我去了北京。
Shàng gè xīngqī wǒ qù le Běijīng.
Last week I went to Beijing.
neutral
我们上车吧。
Wǒmen shàng chē ba.
Let's get in the car.
spoken
Common phrases with 上
Synonyms
上面 is the full noun 'top / above.' Use it when 'above' stands alone in a sentence. 上 attaches to other nouns (桌子上). 上面 can stand by itself (上面有书 'there's a book on top').
Don't confuse 上 with
FAQ
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