Definition
上风 is a noun with two related senses: literally 'windward' (the side from which the wind blows, used in nautical or meteorological contexts), and more commonly 'advantage' or 'upper hand' in a competition, negotiation, or argument. The figurative sense often appears in the fixed phrase 占上风 (zhàn shàngfēng, 'to have the advantage'). As a learner, you'll encounter the figurative meaning much more frequently than the literal one.
n.
advantageupper handsuperior positionwindward sideupwind direction
Examples
- ，上风。Zài zhè chǎng bǐsài zhōng, wǒmen duì yìzhí zhàn zhe shàng fēng.Our team has had the advantage throughout this match.
- ，上风，。Tánpàn zhōng, duìfāng chǔyú shàng fēng, wǒmen hěn bèidòng.In the negotiations, the other side had the upper hand, putting us in a passive position.
- 上风，。Chuánduì xuǎnzé cóng shàng fēng fāngxiàng hángxíng, yǐ bìkāi bàofēngyǔ.The fleet chose to sail from the windward direction to avoid the storm.
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