Definition
上工 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to start work' or 'to go to work', used specifically for manual labor, factory shifts, or farm work — not for office jobs (which use 上班). The verb 上 and the noun 工 can split: you can insert a time duration or measure word between them, like 上了三天工 ('worked for three days').
v.o.
to start work (for manual labor, factory, or farm work)to go to work (in a physical-labor context)
Examples
- 上工。Gōngrénmen měitiān zǎoshang qī diǎn shǎng.The workers start work at seven every morning.
- ，。Tā jīntiān méi lái shàng gōng, yīnwèi shēngbìng le.He didn't come to work today because he was sick.
- 。Zhège yuè wǒ shàng le èrshí tiān gōng.I worked twenty days this month.
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