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树上 (shù shǎng) — on the tree; above the tree

Definition

Locative noun meaning 'on the tree' — surfaces, branches, things resting in the foliage (birds, apples). Contrast with 树下 (under the tree). It is not used for the trunk or roots.

noun
on the treeabove the tree

Examples

  • 树上。
    shù shǎng Yǒu píng guǒ.
    There are apples on the tree.
  • 树上。
    Yì zhī niǎo zhàn zài shù shǎng.
    A bird is standing on the tree.
  • ，树上。
    Hái zi men zài shù xià wán, wǒ zài shù shǎng.
    The children are playing under the tree, and I am on the tree.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 樹; 树 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùtree
Sound part声符shēngfú
尌
尌shù樹shù
Same sound today

Originally 尌, 'to plant a tree', was written alone; the traditional form 樹 adds 木, 'tree', to it to differentiate.

Open 树 →

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
Trees & Forest

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