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向上 (xiàng shàng) — to make progress; to improve oneself; to strive upward

Definition

向上 emphasizes an upward, aspirational direction — striving to improve oneself morally or in ability. 进步 focuses on measurable progress; 前进 stresses physical or collective forward movement.

verb
to make progressto improve oneselfto strive upward

Examples

  • ，向上。
    Tā xué xí hěn nǔ lì, yì zhí zài xiàng shàng.
    He studies very hard and is always making progress.
  • 。
    Gōng sī gǔ lì yuán gōng jī jí xiàng shàng.
    The company encourages employees to actively improve themselves.
  • ，向上。
    Wǒ men yào xiàng yōu xiù de rén xué xí, bú duàn xiàng shàng.
    We should learn from excellent people and keep improving.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

向xiàngtoward
上shàngup

向 (toward) and 上 (up) combine: oriented upward, hence making progress.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

向 originally drew 宀 (house) with 口 to show an echo in a place; later it was used for direction.

Open 向 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

上 is drawn as a short horizontal line placed above a longer arc, marking a position above that arc.

Open 上 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5Success & Failure

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