上shàng(noun suffix) on; above

1. 1.

   (noun suffix) on; abovenoun

2. 2.

   to climb; to get onto; to go up; to attend (class or university)verb

• 上(noun suffix) on; above

After a place word, 上 often means "on"; as a verb before 课, 学, or a vehicle sense, it means attend or get on—read the words around it.

1. HSK 1

   书在桌子上。

   Shū zài zhuōzi shàng.

   The book is on the table.

2. HSK 1

   我上课。

   Wǒ shàng kè.

   I have class / I go to class.

3. HSK 1

   他上学。

   Tā shàngxué.

   He goes to school.

4. HSK 1

   我在火车上。

   Wǒ zài huǒchē shàng.

   I am on the train.

在 marks being at a place in general. 上 after a place specifies "on / above" that place. 书在桌子上 needs 上 for "on the table"; 书在桌子 alone is not the same "on" reading.

1. 
   Speaker A:

   我的书呢？

   Wǒ de shū ne?

   Where is my book?

2. 
   Speaker B:

   在桌子上。

   Zài zhuōzi shàng.

   It's on the table.

3. 
   Speaker A:

   你今天上课吗？

   Nǐ jīntiān shàng kè ma?

   Do you have class today?

4. 
   Speaker B:

   上，我上午上课。

   Shàng, wǒ shàngwǔ shàng kè.

   Yes, I have class in the morning.

5. 
   Speaker A:

   你在火车上吗？

   Nǐ zài huǒchē shàng ma?

   Are you on the train?

6. 
   Speaker B:

   对，我在火车上。

   Duì, wǒ zài huǒchē shàng.

   Yes, I'm on the train.

1. 1.Fill in the blank ("on the table"): 书在桌子___。

   A在B上C去
2. 2.Fill in the blank ("have / attend class"): 我___课。

   A上B在C去课
3. 3.Which sentence means "I am on the train"?

   A我在火车。B我在火车上。C我上在火车。

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Related words

• 在zài(of sb or sth) to be (located) atHSK 1
• 来láito comeHSK 1
• 去qùto goHSK 1
• 到dàoto reach; to arriveHSK 1
• 的deof; 's (possessive particle)HSK 1
• 了lecompleted action markerHSK 1

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