What does 上 mean in Chinese?

上 (shàng) means "on top; upon; above; upper; previous; first (of multiple parts); to climb; to get onto; to go up; to attend (class or university)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 上?

上 is pronounced "shàng" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 上?

上 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 上?

Common words with 上 include 上下 (up and down), 上一个 (previous one), 上一号 ((coll.) to go pee), 上一页 (preceding page), 上下床 (bunk bed).

How do you write 上?

上 has 3 strokes. Its radical is 一. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

上 (shàng), on top

上

shàng

on top; upon; above; upper

HSK 1verb3 strokes

Character Breakdown

A line above the base — up

Radical: 一 (no. 1)Strokes: 3

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) on top
upon
above
upper
previous
first (of multiple parts)
to climb
to get onto
to go up
to attend (class or university)

Example Sentences

请上楼。

Qǐng shàng lóu

Please go upstairs

Words Containing 上

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
上下	shàng xià	up and down	HSK 5
上一个	shàng yī ge	previous one
上一号	shàng yī hào	(coll.) to go pee
上一页	shàng yī yè	preceding page
上下床	shàng xià chuáng

Related Words

上个(shàng ge)· first (of two parts)

→

侍(shì)· to serve

→

侍奉(shì fèng)· to wait upon

→

服侍(fú shi)· to attend to

→

Grammar Notes

Time Expression PlacementHSK 1

Subject + Time + Verb + Object (or) Time + Subject + Verb + Object

Location with 在HSK 1

Subject + 在 + Place + Verb (or) Subject + 在 + Place

Because/So (因为...所以)HSK 2

因为 + Reason, 所以 + Result

Directional 来/去HSK 2

Verb + Direction Verb + 来/去

Same As (跟...一样)HSK 2

A 跟/和 B 一样 (+ Adjective)

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

上: HSK 1 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 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 上 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 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.