上

shàng
HSK 5
#16 most
frequent character
on, on top, upon, first (of multiple parts)
adverb
preposition
verb

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

上 uses a small mark above a line to show 'high', its first meaning. That grew to 'above; on', then to 'go up', 'best', and 'ruler'. Read shǎng, it names a tone class.

上 as a component in other characters

sound1 character
让
picture2 characters
忐尗

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Example Sentences

我把书放在桌子上。
wǒbǎ shū fàngzài zhuōzǐ shàng 。
I put the book on the table.
他每天都上课。
tā měitiān dū shàngkè 。
He attends class every day.
我们要爬上山顶。
wǒmen yào páshàng shāndǐng 。
We need to climb to the top of the mountain.

Grammar Points

HSK 4
Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia / li"在…里在…上+1
HSK 3
Direction complement
HSK 4
Idiomatic phrases with "zai"在…方面在…上+1
HSK 5
Defining upper and lower limits

Same Characters, Different Readings

上shǎng
used in 上聲|上声[shang3 sheng1]

Words with similar meanings

在zài
at/in
Used to indicate a location or position, often interchangeable in context.
爬pá
to climb
Specifically refers to the act of climbing, highlighting the upward movement.

Homophones

尚shàng
still, yet, to value, to esteem

Words Starting With 上

上午shàng wǔ
morning
上班shàng bān
to go to work; to be on duty; to start work; to go to the office
上网shàng wǎng
to be on the internet; to stretch a net (in a sports game or for covering sth); to be netted (of fish)
上当shàng dàng
taken in (by sb's deceit); to be fooled; to be duped
上任shàng rèn
take office

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Public Lists with 上

University & Higher Education
Campus life, dorms, majors, credits, scholarships, and research.
Directions & Location
Above, below, left, right, inside, outside, near, far, north, south, etc.
School & Education
Classroom items, teaching methods, homework, quizzes, and schedules.
HSK 5
All words for the HSK 5 test
Basic Verbs
Core action verbs like 'go,' 'come,' 'eat,' 'see,' commonly encountered in HSK.