What does 升 mean in Chinese?

升 (shēng) means "to ascend; to rise to the rank of; to promote; to hoist; liter; measure for dry grain equal to one-tenth dou 斗[dou3]" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.

How do you pronounce 升?

升 is pronounced "shēng" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 升?

升 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 升?

Common words with 升 include 上升 (to rise), 升学 (to enter the next grade school), 公升 (liter), 初升 (rising (sun, moon etc)), 升任 (to be promoted to).

How do you write 升?

You can practice writing 升 using our stroke order tool.

升 (shēng), to ascend

升

shēng

to ascend; to rise to the rank of; to promote; to hoist

HSK 5verb

Character Breakdown

Radical: 十 (no. 24)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to ascend
to rise to the rank of
to promote
to hoist
liter
measure for dry grain equal to one-tenth dou 斗[dou3]

Example Sentences

水温升高了五度。

Shuǐwēn shēnggāo le wǔ dù

The water temperature rose by five degrees

Words Containing 升

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
上升	shàng shēng	to rise	HSK 5
升学	shēng xué	to enter the next grade school	HSK 6
公升	gōng shēng	liter
初升	chū shēng	rising (sun, moon etc)
升任

Related Words

斛(hú)· ancient measuring vessel

→

石(dàn)· dry measure for grain equal to ten dou 斗

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 5
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 3 list

升: HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 5 exam

Studying for HSK 5? Keep 升 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 5 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.