上去

• Pinyin: shàng qù
• Hanzi breakdown: 上 = a line above a baseline, indicating above; 去 = originally depicted a person leaving through a doorway, meaning to go

Meaning

To go up; to ascend away from the speaker. Indicates upward movement in the direction away from the speaker.

The counterpart of 上来: while 上来 means come up (toward the speaker), 上去 means go up (away from the speaker). Used literally for physical movement upward (go upstairs, climb up) and as a directional complement after verbs (走上去 = walk up, 跑上去 = run up). The choice between 上来 and 上去 depends on where the speaker is positioned.

Examples

1. 这座山太高了，我爬不上去。 This mountain is too tall — I can't climb up it.
2. 你先上去吧，我一会儿就到。 Go on up first — I'll be there in a moment.
3. 他看到老人提着重东西，就跑上去帮忙。 He saw the elderly person carrying heavy things, so he ran up to help.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, movement, daily life

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 你先上去找个座位吧。(Go up first and find a seat.)
• 箱子太重了，搬不上去。(The box is too heavy — I can't carry it up.)

Don't Say

• 我在楼上，你上去吧。(If you're already upstairs calling someone to come to you, use 上来 not 上去 — the listener is coming toward you.)

Origin & History

上 means up or upward; 去 means to go or away from the speaker. Together: to go up — upward movement away from the speaker.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal