Meanings of 上进
By ear
Play it, then pick what 上进 means.
About 上进
Podcast: 上进
Podcast: 上进
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 上进
进步 (jìnbù) - use 上进 when emphasizing ambition and proactive effort in self-improvement, while 进步 focuses more on the idea of progress itself without the same connotation of striving.
上进 is often used in both formal and informal settings, but it can sound overly ambitious in casual conversations. Common collocations include '上进心' (shàng jìn xīn), meaning ambition or drive. Be mindful of the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning.
As an HSK 6 word, 上进 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to personal development and success. Students should focus on using it in sentences that express ambition or goals to reinforce its meaning.
Learners often confuse 上进 with related but different terms like '进步' (jìn bù), which means to make progress without the self-improvement nuance. For example, saying '我想进步' (Wǒ xiǎng jìnbù) is correct, but using '上进' in a casual way might sound overly ambitious.
Pronunciation of 上进
Drill the tone of 上进, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 上进 to you
Let me explain 上进 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 上进 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 上进?
Learning Lab
Knowing 上进 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
Component characters
How to say to make progress in Chinese
“to make progress” in Chinese is上进
上进 (shàng jìn) refers to the idea of making progress or striving to improve oneself. It is commonly used in contexts related to personal development, education, and ambition, often implying a desire for self-improvement and upward mobility in life or careers.
When to use 上进
上进 is often used in both formal and informal settings, but it can sound overly ambitious in casual conversations. Common collocations include '上进心' (shàng jìn xīn), meaning ambition or drive. Be mindful of the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning.
上进 or something close to it
进步 (jìnbù) - use 上进 when emphasizing ambition and proactive effort in self-improvement, while 进步 focuses more on the idea of progress itself without the same connotation of striving.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 上进 with related but different terms like '进步' (jìn bù), which means to make progress without the self-improvement nuance. For example, saying '我想进步' (Wǒ xiǎng jìnbù) is correct, but using '上进' in a casual way might sound overly ambitious.
Write 上进
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 上进 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 上进
上进 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
一旦大火熄灭，救援小组就会马____入。
Once the fire has died out, the salvage team will move in.
Example sentences for 上进 (2)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 上进?
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 200 AI credits.
Frequently asked questions about 上进
The opposite would be '退步' (tuì bù), meaning to regress or decline.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 上进?
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.