Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to go to work' with 上班 (shàngbān)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    Subject + 上班

    Explanation

    上班 (shàngbān) means "to go to work" or "to be at work." It is a verb-object compound combining 上 (to go to/up) and 班 (shift/work). It is one of the most common everyday expressions in Chinese. Its opposite is 下班 (xiàbān), meaning "to get off work."

    Examples

    • 我每天早上八点上班。

      wǒ měitiān zǎoshang bā diǎn shàngbān.

      I go to work at eight o'clock every morning.

    • 她今天不舒服，没去上班。

      tā jīntiān bù shūfu, méi qù shàngbān.

      She wasn't feeling well today and didn't go to work.

    • 你明天几点上班？我去送你。

      nǐ míngtiān jǐ diǎn shàngbān? wǒ qù sòng nǐ.

      What time do you go to work tomorrow? I'll give you a ride.

    Expressing 'to go to work' with 上班 (shàngbān) | Chinese Grammar