Definition
考上 is a verb-resultative compound meaning 'to pass an exam and be admitted (to a school, program, or position)'. The resultative 上 indicates successful attainment of a goal. You can insert 得/不 between the two characters to express possibility: 考得上 ('can get in') / 考不上 ('can't get in'). Unlike English 'pass an exam', 考上 specifically implies the outcome of being accepted, not just passing the test.
r.v.
to pass an entrance exam and be admitted (to a school, university, or position)
Examples
- 考上。Tā zhōngyú kǎo shàng le lǐxiǎng de dàxué.She finally got into her ideal university.
- 考上？Nǐ kǎo shàng yánjiūshēng le ma?Did you get into graduate school?
- 考上，。Tā qùnián kǎo shàng le gōngwùyuán, xiànzài zài zhèngfǔ gōngzuò.He passed the civil service exam last year and now works for the government.
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