上次

• Pinyin: shàng cì
• Hanzi breakdown: 上 = previous/last; 次 = 冫(ice) + 欠 (to lack/owe), meaning time or sequence

Meaning

Last time; the previous occasion. A time word referring to the most recent past occurrence.

Used to refer to the previous time something happened. Placed before the verb as a time adverb. Commonly contrasted with 下次 (next time) and 这次 (this time). Very natural in everyday conversation when comparing past and present experiences.

Examples

1. 上次我们去了北京。 Last time we went to Beijing.
2. 上次你说的那本书叫什么？ What was the book you mentioned last time called?
3. 上次考试我考得不好。 I didn't do well on the exam last time.

Usage Guide

Context: time, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 上次我们在哪里见的？(Where did we meet last time?)
• 上次的饭很好吃。(The meal last time was very delicious.)

Don't Say

• 在上次。(Don't add 在 before 上次 — it's used directly: 上次我去了...)

Origin & History

A compound of 上 (previous/last) and 次 (time/occasion), literally 'the previous time.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal