Chinese word

上边

Pronunciation

Pinyinshàng biān

Meaning

  • nountop

Example

桌子上边有个杯子。zhuō zi shàng biān yǒu gè bēi zi

There is a cup on top of the table.

Illustration for 上边 (top)

More examples

猫睡在沙发上边。māo shuì zài shā fā shàng biān

The cat is sleeping on top of the sofa.

Core concept

The upward side of a thing, from the space above it to its highest edge.

Common phrases

  • 桌子上边zhuō zi shàng biān

    on top of the table

  • 书上边shū shàng biān

    on top of the book

  • 沙发上边shā fā shàng biān

    on top of the sofa

Similar words

上面shàng miàn: The upper surface or top part of something.
下面xià miàn: The underside or lowest edge of something.
里边lǐ biān: The inside area or position within something.
旁边páng biān: The side area next to something.

Definition in Chinese

表示位于某物上方或靠近上端的位置，常作方位名词使用，常与在连用表示具体方位。biǎo shì wèi yú mǒu wù shàng fāng huò kào jìn shàng duān de wèi zhì cháng zuò fāng wèi míng cí shǐ yòng cháng yǔ zài lián yòng biǎo shì jù tǐ fāng wèi

Word origin

上 (shàng, "up") identifies the higher direction, while 边 (biān, "side or edge") turns it into the side or boundary in that direction.

Usage tips

  • English "on top" can suggest contact, but 上边 (shàngbiān, "upper side") can mark an upper position without stating whether two things touch.

Other meanings

  • upper partnoun
  • top edgenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word