shang

Everyday

1. (Mandarin, pinyin) «Shàng» means «up», «on» or «above», and also «to go up» or «to go to», as in «shàng xué» (go to school); to an English ear it sounds like «shahng», and it is not an English word. tree →
2. (Mandarin) «Shàng» can mean «last» or «previous», as in «shàng ge yuè» (last month), and «Shànghǎi» is the city name meaning «on the sea». tree →
3. (history) The Shang was an early dynasty (ruling family) of ancient China, famous for bronze work and writing on oracle bones. tree →
4. (a name) Shang is also a Chinese surname and given name. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons on ancient China, the Shang dynasty is known for the earliest Chinese writing found on bones and shells, used to ask questions about the future. In Mandarin lessons, «shàng» is one of the first words learned, in phrases about going to school or going upstairs. Phrases: «the Shang dynasty», «shàng xué», «Shanghai».

Examples

• The Shang dynasty ruled part of ancient China. tree →
• Shang kings asked questions by writing on oracle bones. tree →
• In Mandarin, «shàng» means up. tree →
• «Wǒ shàng xué» means «I go to school». tree →
• The city name Shanghai means «on the sea». tree →
• Our museum has a bronze pot from the Shang period. tree →

Note

Not an English word. In pinyin the mark on the «a» (shàng) shows a falling tone. Capital S for the dynasty and for names. Do not confuse with «shanghai» (old English slang: to trick someone onto a ship).