登

• Pinyin: dēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 登 = 癶 (two feet stepping) + 豆 (raised platform or vessel)

Meaning

To climb; to ascend; to mount. Also means to publish or to be printed in a publication.

A versatile verb with two main uses: physically climbing or ascending (mountains, stairs, platforms), and being published or printed in newspapers, magazines, or online. In the physical sense, it implies an upward movement with effort. In the publishing sense, it is somewhat formal.

Examples

1. 我们花了三个小时才登上了山顶。 It took us three hours to climb to the top of the mountain.
2. 这篇文章登在今天的报纸上了。 This article was published in today's newspaper.
3. 他激动地登上领奖台，接受了冠军奖杯。 He excitedly mounted the podium and received the championship trophy.

Usage Guide

Context: outdoor, media, achievement

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 运动员们登上了最高的领奖台。(The athletes mounted the highest podium.)
• 你的照片登在杂志上了！(Your photo was published in a magazine!)

Don't Say

• 用登来代替上楼 (Don't use 登 for casually going upstairs — it implies deliberate climbing or ascending; use 上楼 for everyday stair use)

Origin & History

Originally a pictograph showing feet stepping upward on a raised surface, representing the action of climbing or ascending.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal