上流 (shàng liú) — upper-class circles, high society; upper reaches (of a river)

Definition

上流 has two distinct senses: 'upper reaches' of a river (as in 上游), and 'high society / upper class' (as in 上流社会). The social sense is the more common figurative use at this level.

noun
upper-class circleshigh societyupper reaches (of a river)

Examples

  • 上流
    Tā lái zì shàng liú shè huì, jiā lǐ fēi cháng yǒu qián.
    He comes from high society; his family is very wealthy.
  • 上流
    Zhè tiáo hé de shàng liú shuǐ zhì fēi cháng qīng chè.
    The water quality in the upper reaches of this river is very clear.
  • 上流
    Tā jīng cháng cān jiā shàng liú jiē céng de jù huì.
    She often attends gatherings of the upper class.

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