Japanese word

上海

Pronunciation

Romajishanhai

Meaning

  • nounShanghai

Example

上海へ旅行します。shanhai e ryo kō shi ma su

I will travel to Shanghai.

Illustration for 上海 (Shanghai)

More examples

上海では地下鉄が便利です。shanhai de wa chi ka tetsu ga ben ri de su

The subway is convenient in Shanghai.

Common phrases

  • 上海に行くshanhai ni i ku

    go to Shanghai

  • 上海に住むshanhai ni su mu

    live in Shanghai

  • 上海出身shanhai shus shin

    from Shanghai

Definition in Japanese

中国東部の長江河口付近にある国際都市。chū goku tō bu no chō kō kawa guchi fu kin ni a ru koku sai to shi

Word origin

The name 上海 (Shanhai) uses 上 (shàng, "above") and 海 (hǎi, "sea") and is written Shànghǎi in Chinese pinyin, with a literal sense related to being above the sea.

Usage tips

  • English uses shanghai as a verb for forcing a person to join a ship's crew, so the city name has a rare nautical meaning beyond its place-name use.

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