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身上 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
身上shēnshangon the bodyHSK 1, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #460, Easy
身上shēnshangat handHSK 1, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #460, Easy
身上shēnshangamongHSK 1, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #460, Easy
shēnshang(shen1shang5)shen shang T1
  1. 1on the body
  2. 2at hand
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March 24, 2026

身上shēnshang(shen1shang5)

身上 (shēn shang) refers to something that is physically on or attached to the body. It can also imply something that is readily available or at hand, often used in contexts like discussing personal belongings or feelings. This term is commonly used in both everyday conversations and more formal discussions about health or personal status.

Strokes10Frequency#460DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of one's body and personal belongings is significant, especially regarding health and wellness. Phrases involving 身上 are often used in discussions about personal care, reflecting the cultural emphasis on maintaining one's physical and mental well-being.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person (身) carrying their belongings (上) on their body. Visualize them struggling to balance items stacked on their shoulders, reminding you that 身上 means 'on the body' or 'at hand'. The character 身, which looks like a person, connects to 'body', and 上 suggests 'on top', reinforcing the idea of something being physically present.

Meanings of 身上

shēnshang(shen1shang5)
1on the body
2at hand
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About 身上

身上Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

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Podcast: 身上

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AI Study Notes for 身上

Usage Notes

One common mistake is using 身上 in contexts where it's more appropriate to use other terms, such as 里面 (inside) for items within something. Remember that 身上 is informal, so in formal writing, consider using phrases like 在身边 (by one's side) instead. Pay attention to using the correct tone, as mispronouncing shēn (with a high level tone) can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

身上 is not featured in the HSK vocabulary lists, but it includes components like 身 (body) that are relevant for HSK Level 2 students. Focus on recognizing how this word combines with others to create phrases related to personal experiences or belongings, which often appear in conversational practice.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 身上 with 上身 (shàng shēn), which specifically means 'upper body'. For example, saying '我把书放在上身' (I put the book on my upper body) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我把书放在身上'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 身上

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Component Characters

身shēnbody
HSK 47 strokes身
View full entry
上shàngon top
HSK 13 strokes一
View full entry

How to say on the body in Chinese

“on the body” in Chinese is身上shēnshang

身上 (shēn shang) refers to something that is physically on or attached to the body. It can also imply something that is readily available or at hand, often used in contexts like discussing personal belongings or feelings. This term is commonly used in both everyday conversations and more formal discussions about health or personal status.

When to use 身上

One common mistake is using 身上 in contexts where it's more appropriate to use other terms, such as 里面 (inside) for items within something. Remember that 身上 is informal, so in formal writing, consider using phrases like 在身边 (by one's side) instead. Pay attention to using the correct tone, as mispronouncing shēn (with a high level tone) can change the meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 身上 with 上身 (shàng shēn), which specifically means 'upper body'. For example, saying '我把书放在上身' (I put the book on my upper body) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我把书放在身上'.

Write 身上

身
上

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 身上

Yes, you can use 身上 to express feelings that feel 'present' within you, such as '我身上有一种压力' (I feel a pressure on me).

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