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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 上去 (shàngqù) to express 'to go up'

    Direction & Movement

    Structure

    Verb + 上去 / 上去

    Explanation

    The directional complement 上去 (shàngqù) means 'to go up' or 'to ascend,' indicating movement upward and away from the speaker. It can be used on its own as a verb or attached to another verb as a directional complement. It contrasts with 上来, which indicates upward movement toward the speaker.

    Examples

    • 他沿着楼梯慢慢地走上去了。

      Tā yánzhe lóutī mànmàn de zǒu shàngqù le.

      He slowly walked up the stairs.

    • 这座山太陡了，我爬不上去。

      zhè zuò shān tài dǒu le, wǒ pá bù shàng qù.

      This mountain is too steep; I can't climb up it.

    • 猫一下子就跳上去了，我们根本抓不到它。

      māo yī xiàzi jiù tiào shàng qù le, wǒmen gēnběn zhuā bù dào tā.

      The cat jumped up in an instant, and we couldn't catch it at all.

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    Using 上去 (shàngqù) to express 'to go up' | Chinese Grammar