Common Meanings
1
shàng上
Above; on top of; higher up; opposite of 'below'.
楼上很安静。
Upstairs is very quiet.
Preceding in order or time; previous.
我们上周去看了一场电影。
We went to see a movie last week.
High in rank, quality, or grade.
这瓶红酒是上等佳酿。
This bottle of red wine is a first-class vintage.
To go from a lower place to a higher place, like ascending a mountain or getting onto a vehicle.
我们一起上山看日出吧。
Let's go up the mountain together to watch the sunrise.
To go to; to attend (e.g., school, work).
我每天早上都会上学。
I go to school every morning.
to advance forward; to move upwards or ahead, often with effort
面对困难，我们应该勇敢地冲上去，争取更好的机会。
Facing difficulties, we should bravely charge forward and strive for better opportunities.
to apply or add a substance (e.g., water, paint, lubricant) to something
油漆工给墙面上色
The painter applied color to the wall surface.
To attach, fix, or install something; to put on (e.g., a lock, a spring).
出门前记得把门上锁。
Remember to lock the door before you go out.
To apply or put on (e.g., ointment, paint)
护士给病人上药。
The nurse applied medicine to the patient.
To attend or participate in a scheduled activity, such as a class or work.
明天早上我必须上学。
I have to go to school tomorrow morning.
To wind (a spring, clock, toy, etc.); to tighten a spring.
爸爸每天都会给老式钟表上发条。
Dad winds the antique clock every day.
To record; to enter (into an account or ledger).
请把今天的销售额上到账本上。
Please record today's sales in the ledger.
Used after a noun to indicate time, place, or scope, for example, '晚上' (evening), '桌上' (on the table), '组织上' (organizationally).
我喜欢在晚上看书。
I like to read books in the evening.
Used after a verb to indicate the completion or successful result of an action, or to suggest an upward or inward direction.
外面冷，快穿上外套吧
It's cold outside, quickly put on your jacket.
To reach a certain degree or quantity, often implying an advanced state or level.
他的厨艺已经上水平了
His cooking skills have already reached a high level.
A note in ancient Chinese musical notation, equivalent to 'do' or '1' in solfège.
这首曲子的第一个音是‘上’。
The first note of this piece is 'shàng'.
2
shǎng上
In Chinese phonetics, 'shǎng' refers to the third tone, also known as the 'rising-falling tone' or 'up-tone' in Mandarin Chinese (pǔtōnghuà).
这个字的声调是上声。
The tone of this character is the third tone.