Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
上衣 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
上衣shàngyījacketHSK 3, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #4967, Medium
上衣shàngyīupper outer garmentHSK 3, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #4967, Medium
shàngyī(shang4yi1)shang yi T4
  1. 1jacket
  2. 2upper outer garment
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

上衣shàngyī(shang4yi1)

上衣 (shang4 yi1) refers to an upper outer garment, such as a jacket or coat. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when discussing clothing and fashion. The term emphasizes the part of clothing that is worn on the upper body.

Strokes9Frequency#4967DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, clothing often reflects social status and personal style, making discussions about garments like 上衣 significant in social interactions. Seasonal changes also influence the type of 上衣 people wear, especially in regions with distinct weather patterns.

Memory Tip

Imagine wearing a 'shiny' jacket that catches everyone's attention. The word '上' (shang) sounds like 'shine' and suggests something that goes above, while '衣' (yi) relates to 'clothes.' Visualize putting on this shiny upper garment to remember its meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 上衣

shàngyī(shang4yi1)
1jacket
2upper outer garment
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 上衣 means.

About 上衣

上衣Simplified
9Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
件Measure Word
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 上衣

JasonAmy

Podcast: 上衣

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 上衣

Quick Contrast

外套 (wàitào) refers specifically to an outer coat, whereas 上衣 (shàngyī) can refer to any upper garment, including shirts and jackets.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 上衣 with other clothing terms like 裙子 (qunzi) for skirt or 裤子 (kùzi) for pants. It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when shopping or discussing fashion. Remember that the tone for 上 is fourth tone and for 衣 is first tone, which can be tricky.

HSK Study Tips

While 上衣 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it is useful for learners at Level 2 and above as it relates to daily life vocabulary. Students should focus on clothing-related vocabulary and practice using adjectives to describe different types of 上衣.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 上衣 incorrectly when referring to lower garments like pants. For example, saying '我穿了上衣' (Wǒ chuān le shàng yī) when they mean 'I wore pants' is incorrect. The correct term for pants is 裤子 (kùzi).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 上衣

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 上衣 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 上衣 to You

Let me explain 上衣 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 上衣 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 上衣?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 上衣 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

上shàngon top
HSK 13 strokes一
View full entry
衣yīclothes
HSK 26 strokes衣
View full entry

How to say jacket in Chinese

“jacket” in Chinese is上衣shàngyī

上衣 (shang4 yi1) refers to an upper outer garment, such as a jacket or coat. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when discussing clothing and fashion. The term emphasizes the part of clothing that is worn on the upper body.

When to use 上衣

Learners often confuse 上衣 with other clothing terms like 裙子 (qunzi) for skirt or 裤子 (kùzi) for pants. It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when shopping or discussing fashion. Remember that the tone for 上 is fourth tone and for 衣 is first tone, which can be tricky.

上衣 or something close to it

外套 (wàitào) refers specifically to an outer coat, whereas 上衣 (shàngyī) can refer to any upper garment, including shirts and jackets.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes use 上衣 incorrectly when referring to lower garments like pants. For example, saying '我穿了上衣' (Wǒ chuān le shàng yī) when they mean 'I wore pants' is incorrect. The correct term for pants is 裤子 (kùzi).

Write 上衣

上
衣

Practice writing 上衣 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 上衣?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 上衣

Yes, 上衣 can refer to various upper garments, including jackets, coats, and sweaters, but it is most commonly associated with casual jackets.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 上衣?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab