上空

• Pinyin: shàng kōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 上 = above/upper; 空 = 穴 (cave/hollow radical) + 工 (work/phonetic) = empty space/sky — 上空: the empty sky above a specific place; airspace

Meaning

The sky above or airspace above a particular place; the aerial space directly overhead a specific location.

Used to describe the airspace or sky directly above a named location, country, body of water, or structure. Commonly appears in aviation, military, weather, and news contexts. Contrast with 天空 (the sky in general) — 上空 is relational and location-specific, always implying 'above X'.

Examples

1. 国庆节当天，多架武装直升机和歼击机编队低空飞过北京天安门广场上空，接受检阅的同时展示了国家的国防实力。 On National Day, multiple armed helicopters and fighter jet formations flew at low altitude over Tiananmen Square in Beijing, receiving the inspection while also showcasing the country’s national defense strength.
2. 气象部门监测显示，目前有一个强对流云团正在城市上空迅速发展，预计今晚将带来雷暴大风和局地暴雨天气。 Meteorological monitoring shows that a strong convective cloud mass is rapidly developing over the city, and it is expected to bring thunderstorms, strong winds, and localized heavy rain tonight.
3. 民航局宣布，因军事演习需要，特定海峡上空将于本周末临时划定为禁飞区，所有民用航班须绕行指定航线。 The Civil Aviation Administration announced that due to military exercises, the airspace over a certain strait will be temporarily designated as a no-fly zone this weekend, and all civilian flights must detour along designated routes.

Usage Guide

Context: aviation, military, meteorology, news, geography

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 据通报，因目的地机场上空有雷暴，多架航班改降备降机场，待天气转好再决定是否返航。(According to the notice, because of thunderstorms in the airspace above the destination airport, several flights diverted to alternate airports and will decide whether to return once the weather improves.)
• 在现代战争史上，争夺制空权常决定地面战成败，控制敌方重要设施上空往往能以更小代价达成更大目标。(In the history of modern warfare, the struggle for air superiority often determines the success or failure of ground combat, and controlling the airspace above key enemy facilities often makes it possible to achieve larger goals at lower cost.)

Don't Say

• 我喜欢看上空的星星 — 头顶的星星 or 夜空中的星星 is more natural for casual speech about stars; use 上空 when specifying the airspace above a named location

Origin & History

上 (above/upper) + 空 (sky/air/empty space) = the sky or airspace above a particular location

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal