Verb + 上
HSK 3- Complements
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Verb上
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Resultative complement 上 indicates an action directed upward, adhering/attaching to something, or achieving a goal.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Uses 上 as a resultative complement after a verb to express several meanings:
- Upward direction:
爬上山(climb up a mountain). - Contact or attachment:
关上门(close a door shut),穿上衣服(put clothes on). - Beginning or attainment:
爱上一个人(fall in love with someone),考上大学(pass the university entrance exam).
It indicates that the action not only occurs but also produces a concrete result of "upward," "closed," "attached to," or "achieved."
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他爬上山了。Tā pá shàng shān le.
He climbed up the mountain.
- 请把门关上。繁: 請把門關上。Qǐng bǎ mén guān shàng.
Please close the door.
- 天冷了，快穿上外套。Tiān lěng le, kuài chuān shàng wàitào.
The weather has turned cold, so put on your jacket quickly.
- 我终于考上大学了！繁: 我終於考上大學了！Wǒ zhōngyú kǎo shàng dàxué le!
Finally, I got accepted to university!
- 他爱上了一个女孩。繁: 他愛上了一個女孩。Tā ài shàng le yí gè nǚhái.
He fell in love with a girl.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他爱一个女孩。Correct:他爱上一个女孩了。
爱上 means "to fall in love with," emphasizing the beginning of romantic feelings, whereas 爱 alone is used to express the general state of loving.
- Wrong:我每天都穿上校服去上学。Correct:我每天都穿校服去上学。
穿上 emphasizes the action of "putting on." When expressing a habit or state, the verb 穿 alone is sufficient.