上 vs 到 (shàng vs dào): resultative complements for attainment
上 and 到 are both resultative complements used after verbs like 考 (kǎo, to take an exam). 上 indicates achieving entry or attachment to an institution, position, or status (e.g., getting into a school), while 到 indicates reaching a specific numeric target or level (e.g., a score or rank). Choosing the wrong one can change the meaning entirely.
Both 上 (shàng) and 到 (dào) can be used as resultative complements to indicate that an action has achieved a result. The key difference lies in the nature of the goal: 上 implies that the subject has successfully entered or attached to a target entity (e.g., a school, a position, a list), while 到 implies that a measurable limit or level has been reached (e.g., a score, a point, a place). Learners often mistakenly use 到 for entry-related achievements (e.g., saying 考到大学 to mean 'get into university') when 上 is required. Understanding this distinction is crucial for precise expression.
When to use each
Use 上 as a resultative complement when the achievement involves gaining access to, being admitted to, or attaching to a target such as an institution, a position, a list, or a status. Common verbs include 考 (kǎo, take exam), 选 (xuǎn, elect/select), 评 (píng, evaluate), and 升 (shēng, promote). For example, 考上大学 (kǎo shàng dàxué) means 'pass the exam to enter a university'.
上 can also convey a sense of upward movement or successful completion of a vertical action (e.g., 爬上山顶, climb to the top of the mountain), but in the attainment context it specifically implies being 'on' the target, not just reaching it.
Use 到 as a resultative complement when the achievement involves reaching a quantifiable or spatial end point, such as a score, a rank, a location, or a time. Common verbs include 考 (kǎo, take exam), 挣 (zhèng, earn), 走 (zǒu, walk), and 看 (kàn, see). For example, 考到90分 (kǎo dào 90 fēn) means 'achieve a score of 90 on an exam'.
到 emphasizes that a specific boundary or goal has been reached; it does not imply attachment or membership. After verbs like 看 (kàn), 到 can mean 'see' as in 'catch sight of', which is a different usage.
At a glance
| 上 | 到 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning as resultative complement | Achieve entry/attachment to a target | Reach a target level/point/number |
| Typical objects | Institutions (大学, 高中), positions (校长), lists (排行榜), status (研究生) | Scores (90分), ranks (前十名), amounts (100万), locations (北京) |
| Implication of membership | Implies being accepted/onboard | No implication of membership; just reaching the number |
| Negation (没) | 没考上 (did not get into) | 没考到 (did not reach the score/level) |
| Potential complement | 考得上 (can get into) | 考得到 (can reach the target) |
Examples
- 上他考上了北京大学。Tā kǎo shàng le Běijīng Dàxué.He passed the exam and got into Peking University.Use 上 because the result is entry to an institution.
- 到她考到了650分。Tā kǎo dào le 650 fēn.She achieved a score of 650.Use 到 because the result is a numeric level.
- 上这个学生没考上重点高中。Zhège xuéshēng méi kǎo shàng zhòngdiǎn gāozhōng.This student didn't get into the key high school.Negation pattern: 没考上.
- 到他虽然努力了，但没考到理想的名次。Tā suīrán nǔlì le, dàn méi kǎo dào lǐxiǎng de míngcì.Although he worked hard, he didn't reach the desired ranking.Ranking is a numeric or ordinal target, so 到.
- 上我希望能考上研究生。Wǒ xīwàng néng kǎo shàng yánjiūshēng.I hope to pass the exam and become a graduate student.Status (研究生) is an attachment, not a number.
Common mistakes
- Using 到 instead of 上 for admission: ✗ 他考到了大学？(meaning 'get into university') → should be 考上了大学.
- Using 上 instead of 到 for numeric scores: ✗ 他考上了90分？(meaning 'achieved 90 points') → should be 考到了90分.
- Confusing negation: 不 is rarely used with resultative complements; use 没: 没考上, 没考到.
FAQ
- When do I use 上 vs 到 after 考?
- Use 上 when the goal is entry/admission to an institution or position (e.g., 考上大学). Use 到 when the goal is a specific score, rank, or amount (e.g., 考到90分). If you are unsure, ask whether the result involves 'becoming part of something' (上) or 'hitting a number/point' (到).
- Can 到 ever be used for admission to a school?
- No, not in the sense of 'getting into'. 考到大学 would be interpreted as 'reaching the university (as a location)' or 'getting to the university' (e.g., after traveling). For admission, always use 考上.
- Is there a difference between 没考上 and 没考到?
- Yes. 没考上 means 'did not get accepted into' (e.g., 没考上大学). 没考到 means 'did not reach a certain score/level' (e.g., 没考到600分). Both are correct in their contexts.
- Can I use 上 for reaching a level like 满分 (full marks)?
- No. For reaching a score, use 到. 考上满分 is unnatural; use 考到满分 or 考了满分. 上 is only for entry/attachment, not for numerical endpoints.