How to use “verb + 上 (shàng)” pattern

The Chinese structure “verb + 上 (shàng)” can indicate:

1. The direction: 方向

E.g.

他跑上楼了 (tā pǎo shàng lóu le)。 He ran upstairs.

我们慢慢爬上了山 (wǒ men màn màn pá shàng le shān)。 We slowly climbed the mountain.

她把衣服挂上了 (tā bǎ yī fu guà shàng le)。 She hung the clothes on the line.

2. The result: 结果

E.g.

他喜欢上了这个地方 (tā xǐ huan shàng le zhè ge dì fāng) / 女孩 (nǚ hái)。 He fell in love with this place / girl.

我们住上了新房 (wǒ men zhù shàng le xīn fáng)。 We moved into the new house and lived there.

我表弟考上了大学 (wǒ biǎo dì kǎo shàng le dà xué)。 My cousin was admitted to the university.

3. The beginning and continuance of something: 开始或继续做某事

E.g.

老师刚说完(lǎo shī gāng shuō wán)，同学们就议论上了 (tóng xué men jiù yì lùn shàng le)。

As soon as the teacher finished his speaking, the students began to talk about it.

他们俩第一次见面 (tā men liǎ dì yī cì jiàn miàn)，就开心地聊上了 (jiù kāi xīn de liáo shàng le)。

They talked happily with each other when they first met.

洗完衣服，她又做上晚饭了 (xǐ wán yī fu, tā yòu zuò shàng wǎn fàn le)。

After washing the clothes, she began to cook dinner.

4. Add: 添加

E.g.

穿上衣服 (chuān shàng yī fu): put clothes on

戴上手套 (dài shang shǒu tào): put the gloves on

戴上戒指 (dài shang jiè zhǐ): put the ring on

穿上袜子 (chuān shàng wà zi): put the socks on

– All these can be seen as adding the clothes / gloves / rings/ socks to someone.

把空填上 (bǎ kòng tián shàng): fill in the blanks

– Add something to the blanks.

五加上十 (wǔ jiā shàng shí): Add ten to five

5. Close: 关闭

E.g.

请把门关上 (qǐng bǎ mén guān shàng)。 Please close the door.

请大家把书合上 (qǐng dà jiā bǎ shū hé shàng)。Close your book, please.

把嘴闭上 (bǎ zuǐ bì shàng)。 Shut up your mouth.

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