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上诉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
上诉shàngsùto appeal (a judicial case)HSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #5636, Very Hard
上诉shàngsùappealHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #5636, Very Hard
shàngsù(shang4su4)shang su T4
  1. 1to appeal (a judicial case)
  2. 2appeal
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March 24, 2026

上诉(上訴)shàngsù(shang4su4)

上诉 (shang4 su4) refers to the process of formally requesting a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court in a legal context. It is commonly used in judicial discussions and legal documents, indicating a legal challenge against a previous ruling.

Strokes10Frequency#5636DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of appealing a court decision is an important part of the Chinese legal system, reflecting the value placed on justice and the right to challenge decisions. This process is often seen as a way to ensure fairness in legal proceedings.

Memory tip

Imagine a courtroom where a person is climbing (上) up (诉) to a higher judge, appealing for justice. The character 上 (shang4) means 'up' and 诉 (su4) relates to 'sue' or 'appeal,' helping you visualize the action of seeking a higher authority.

Meanings of 上诉

shàngsù(shang4su4)
1to appeal (a judicial case)
2appeal
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About 上诉

上诉Simplified
上訴Traditional
10Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 上诉

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AI study notes for 上诉

Quick Contrast

上诉 (shàngsù) vs 申诉 (shēnsù) — use 上诉 for formal appeals to higher courts, while 申诉 is for general complaints or grievances.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 上诉 with other legal terms like 诉讼 (sùsòng), which means 'litigation.' 上诉 is typically used in formal legal contexts, so it is best to avoid it in casual conversations. Remember that the tone marks are crucial for correct pronunciation and meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 上诉 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects to legal terms that might appear in higher HSK levels. Focus on understanding its components and how it relates to the broader legal vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 上诉 with 诉讼, mistakenly using them interchangeably, such as saying '我想要诉讼这个判决' instead of '我想要上诉这个判决'. Always remember that 上诉 specifically means to appeal.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 上诉

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Component characters

上shàngon top
HSK 13 strokes一
View full entry
诉sùto complain
HSK 47 strokes讠
View full entry

How to say to appeal (a judicial case) in Chinese

“to appeal (a judicial case)” in Chinese is上诉shàngsù

上诉 (shang4 su4) refers to the process of formally requesting a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court in a legal context. It is commonly used in judicial discussions and legal documents, indicating a legal challenge against a previous ruling.

When to use 上诉

Be careful not to confuse 上诉 with other legal terms like 诉讼 (sùsòng), which means 'litigation.' 上诉 is typically used in formal legal contexts, so it is best to avoid it in casual conversations. Remember that the tone marks are crucial for correct pronunciation and meaning.

上诉 or something close to it

上诉 (shàngsù) vs 申诉 (shēnsù) — use 上诉 for formal appeals to higher courts, while 申诉 is for general complaints or grievances.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 上诉 with 诉讼, mistakenly using them interchangeably, such as saying '我想要诉讼这个判决' instead of '我想要上诉这个判决'. Always remember that 上诉 specifically means to appeal.

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上
诉

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Cultural Notes for 上诉

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the appeal process is similarly recognized, but the specific procedures and grounds for appeal can vary significantly from those in China.

Frequently asked questions about 上诉

You can say, '他决定上诉这个判决' (Tā juédìng shàngsù zhège pànjué) meaning 'He decided to appeal this judgment.'

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