Meaning of 上边
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- the top
- above
- overhead
- upwards
- the top margin
- above-mentioned
- those higher up
How to use 上边
上边 is a location word. It often follows a noun to say something is on top of or above it, and it can also stand alone as a subject or object. Example: 书在桌子上边。(Shū zài zhuōzi shàngbian.) The book is on the table.
上 (shàng) means up or above, and 边 (biān) means side. Put them together and you get the up side, the top of something or the area above it.
Common mistake: In 上边 the 边 is usually read in the neutral tone, shàngbian, not with a full first tone like in 那边 (nàbiān). Learners also forget the noun before it. Say 桌子上边, not just 上边桌子.
上边 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
上 shàng · up · 3 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
边 biān · side · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 上边.
| 马上 | mǎshàng | at once; right away |
| 晚上 | wǎnshang | evening; night |
| 那边 | nàbiān | over there; yonder |
| 身上 | shēnshang | on the body; at hand |
| 这边 | zhèbiān | this side; here |
| 早上 | zǎoshang | early morning |
| 上次 | shàng cì | last time |
| 路上 | lùshang | on the road; on the way; en route |
| 上班 | shàngbān | to go to work; to be on duty |
| 一边 | yībiān | one side; either side |
| 旁边 | pángbiān | side; adjacent place |
| 上车 | shàng chē | to get on or into (a bus, train, car etc) |
Questions about 上边
What does 上边 mean?
上边 (shàngbian) means "the top; above" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 上边?
上边 is made of 2 characters: 上 (3 strokes), 边 (5 strokes). That is 8 strokes in total.
Is 上边 an HSK word?
Yes. 上边 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 上边 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 上边 is written 上邊.
What is the difference between 上边 and 上面?
They mean the same thing and are usually interchangeable, as in 桌子上边 and 桌子上面. 上面 (shàngmian) is a bit more common in writing. 上边 sounds slightly more casual and spoken.
Can 上边 mean the people in charge?
Yes. 上边 can refer to those higher up, such as superiors or higher authorities. For example, 这是上边的决定 (zhè shì shàngbian de juédìng) means this is a decision from higher up.