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之上 (zhī shàng) — (suffix) on, above, over (indicating physical elevation or higher position); (suffix) beyond, above, superior to (abstract sense, e.g., moral or qualitative)

Definition

之上 marks 'above/over' in a slightly more formal, written register — pair it with 之下 to frame a contrast (e.g., 金钱之上 vs. 金钱之下). Use it as a suffix after a noun, not as a standalone preposition like 在...上面.

suffix
onaboveover (indicating physical elevation or higher position)beyondabovesuperior to (abstract sense, e.g., moral or qualitative)

Examples

  • 之上。
    Wèi lán de tiān kōng zhī shàng piāo zhe jǐ duǒ bái yún.
    A few white clouds are floating above the azure sky.
  • 之上。
    Yǒu qíng shì jiàn lì zài xìn rèn zhī shàng de.
    Friendship is built on the foundation of trust.
  • 之上。
    Jīn qián zhī shàng hái yǒu gèng zhòng yào de dōng xī.
    There are things more important than money.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

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.

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