上

shǎng, shàng

⺊ + 一

HSK 2.0Level 1

HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

shàng (adjective) above; up; on top; upper

shàng (verb) to go up; to climb; to get onto

shàng (verb) to attend (class)

shàng (adjective) previous; first (of multiple parts)

Etymology

Originally a small line or dot above a longer line, indicating "up". The vertical line was added to distinguish the character from 二 (two). Opposite of 下.

About

Originally drawn as a short line or dot above a longer horizontal stroke, 上 indicated the concept "up"; a vertical line was later added to distinguish it from 二 (two). The character now conveys "above" or "on top". It functions as a positional noun for the upper part or surface of an object, and as a verb meaning to ascend, board a vehicle, or submit to a higher authority. It attaches to nouns to form locative phrases, and follows verbs as a directional complement showing upward movement or successful attachment.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

上学要迟到了。

Shàng xué yào chí dào le.

I'm going to be late for school.

他住在楼上。

Tā zhù zài lóu shàng.

He lives upstairs.

桌子上有一本书。

Zhuōzi shàng yǒu yī běn shū.

There is a book on the table.

我喜欢在晚上散步。

Wǒ xǐhuān zài wǎnshàng sànbù.

I like taking walks in the evening.

妈妈上楼去睡觉了。

Māma shàng lóu qù shuìjiào le.

Mom went upstairs to sleep.

他努力学习，想考上好大学。

Tā nǔlì xuéxí, xiǎng kǎo shàng hǎo dàxué.

He studies hard, hoping to test into a good university.

这次会议被安排在下个星期三上午。

Zhè cì huìyì bèi ānpái zài xià gè xīngqīsān shàngwǔ.

This meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday morning.

网络上的信息需要仔细甄别。

Wǎngluò shàng de xìnxī xūyào zǐxī zhēnbié.

Information on the internet needs to be carefully discerned.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: ⺊

Component: 一

Example Words