verb HSK 1
Traditional 上學
shàng xué
to go to school · to attend school

Meaning

上学 literally means 'to go up to learning' and refers to the action of attending school or going to school. It's used for students of any age going to their educational institution, from kindergarten through university.

Usage

This is a very common, neutral term used by students, parents, and teachers. It can refer to the daily act of going to school or to being enrolled in school more generally. Often used in simple statements about daily routines or discussing someone's educational status.

Examples

  1. 01
    我每天早上七点上学
    měi tiān zǎoshang diǎn shàng xué.
    I go to school at seven o'clock every morning.
  2. 02
    她的孩子今年开始上学了。
    de háizi jīnnián kāishǐ shàng xué le.
    Her child started school this year.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 上学路上
    shàng xué shang
    on the way to school
  • 上学
    shàng xué
    to go to school
  • 上学期间
    shàng xué jiān
    during school time

Antonyms

Origin

The character 上 originally meant 'above' or 'to ascend' and extended to mean 'to go to' or 'to attend.' Combined with 学 (learning/study), it creates the meaning of 'going to the place of learning.'

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