noun (time word) HSK 1
morning · forenoon · a.m.
Meaning
上午 refers to the morning period, specifically from around dawn until noon (12:00 pm). It is one of the basic time words in Chinese used to divide the day into segments.
Usage
上午 is used in both spoken and written Chinese to indicate morning time. It commonly appears before specific times to clarify a.m. versus p.m., such as 上午九点 (9 a.m.). Native speakers use it in scheduling, appointments, and daily conversations about time. It's more formal than casual expressions like 早上 (early morning).
Examples
- 01我们上午十点开会。.We have a meeting at 10 a.m.
- 02他今天上午去医院了。.He went to the hospital this morning.
Characters
Common collocations
- 上午九点9 a.m.
- 今天上午this morning
- 明天上午tomorrow morning
- 上午好good morning (formal greeting)
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 上 (up/first) with 午 (noon), literally meaning 'before noon' or 'the first part of noon time,' distinguishing the morning hours from 下午 (afternoon, literally 'after noon').