Navigation
Grammar Levels
HSK 1
27 points
HSK 2
49 points
HSK 3
92 points
HSK 4
99 points
HSK 5
45 points
Resources
Expressing 'sky' or 'heaven' with 天 (tiān)
Location & Position
Time Expressions
Structure
上 + 天 + 堂
Explanation
The noun 天 (tiān) means "sky," "heaven," or "day," and is one of the most fundamental words in Chinese. In spiritual or literary contexts, it refers to the heavens or a divine realm, as in 上天堂 (to ascend to heaven). It is also commonly used for weather (天气) and days of the week.
Examples
今天的天真蓝，万里无云。
jīntiān de tiān zhēn lán, wànlǐ wú yún.
The sky is so blue today, not a cloud for miles.
人们相信好人死后会上天堂。
rénmen xiāngxìn hǎo rén sǐ hòu huì shàng tiāntáng.
People believe that good people go to heaven after they die.
天快黑了，我们赶紧回家吧。
tiān kuài hēi le, wǒmen gǎnjǐn huí jiā ba.
It's getting dark soon, let's hurry home.