上学

• Pinyin: shàng xué
• Hanzi breakdown: 上 = to go to/attend; 学 = simplified from 學, depicting a child learning

Meaning

To go to school; to attend school. The standard expression for going to or being enrolled in school.

A verb-object compound meaning to attend school on a daily basis or to be enrolled as a student. Used by children and young adults. The opposite is 放学 (school lets out/to leave school at end of day). Different from 上课 which refers to a specific class period.

Examples

1. 他每天走路上学。 He walks to school every day.
2. 你几点去上学？ What time do you go to school?
3. 弟弟明年开始上学。 My little brother starts school next year.

Usage Guide

Context: school, daily routine

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 孩子几岁开始上学？(At what age do children start school?)
• 快点，要上学了。(Hurry up, it's time for school.)

Don't Say

• 我上学在那个学校。(Wrong word order — say 我在那个学校上学, placing the location before the verb)

Origin & History

A verb-object compound of 上 (to go to/attend) and 学 (study/school), literally 'to go to study.'

Cultural Context

Generation: Children and students

Social background: Universal