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March 24, 2026
尚shàng(Shang4)
The character 尚 (shàng) has several meanings, including 'to value' or 'to esteem,' and is often used in contexts indicating something is still ongoing or yet to happen. It can also serve as a surname. In phrases, it conveys a sense of respect or importance towards a subject or action.
Strokes8Radical⺌Frequency#5629DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
The character 尚 can be found in traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucianism, where valuing virtues is emphasized. It reflects the cultural importance placed on respect and esteem in social interactions.
Memory tip
Imagine a person on a pedestal (representing esteem) who is still standing tall (symbolizing 'still' or 'yet'). The character 尚 resembles a person standing above others, emphasizing the idea of valuing or holding something in high regard.
Meanings of 尚
shàng(Shang4)
1still
2yet
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
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About 尚
尚Simplified
8Strokes
⺌Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#5629Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 尚
Podcast: 尚
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AI study notes for 尚
Quick Contrast
尊重 (zūnzhòng) vs 尚 (shàng): Use 尊重 when emphasizing respect or regard for a person or their feelings, while 尚 conveys a broader sense of valuing or esteeming something.
Usage Notes
尚 is often used in more formal contexts and can appear in idiomatic expressions. A common mistake is to confuse it with 常 (cháng), which means 'often'—both have similar pronunciations but different meanings. Pay attention to the tone and context to avoid confusion.
HSK Study Tips
尚 is not currently an HSK word, but it connects to concepts of value and respect that can be found in other HSK vocabulary. Students should focus on its usage in formal settings and practice incorporating it into sentences that express esteem or ongoing actions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 尚 in informal contexts where 常 (cháng) would be more appropriate, such as saying '我尚去商店' instead of '我常去商店' (I often go to the store). Be mindful of the context to ensure correct usage.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 尚
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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.
The character 尚 (shàng) has several meanings, including 'to value' or 'to esteem,' and is often used in contexts indicating something is still ongoing or yet to happen. It can also serve as a surname. In phrases, it conveys a sense of respect or importance towards a subject or action.
When to use 尚
尚 is often used in more formal contexts and can appear in idiomatic expressions. A common mistake is to confuse it with 常 (cháng), which means 'often'—both have similar pronunciations but different meanings. Pay attention to the tone and context to avoid confusion.
尚 or something close to it
尊重 (zūnzhòng) vs 尚 (shàng): Use 尊重 when emphasizing respect or regard for a person or their feelings, while 尚 conveys a broader sense of valuing or esteeming something.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 尚 in informal contexts where 常 (cháng) would be more appropriate, such as saying '我尚去商店' instead of '我常去商店' (I often go to the store). Be mindful of the context to ensure correct usage.
Write 尚
尚
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Grammar patterns of 尚
尚 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 6 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.
There are 20 full-colour pages of fashion for men.
10
他日语说得不太好,但尚能表达清楚自己的意思.
tā rìyǔ shuō de bùtài hǎo, dàn shàng néng biǎodá qīngchu zìjǐ de yìsi.
He doesn't speak much Japanese but he can make himself understood.
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Cultural Notes for 尚
💡Did you know?
The character 尚 has roots in ancient Chinese philosophy, often associated with valuing virtues and moral conduct, reflecting the importance of esteem in Confucian thought.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the concept of valuing or esteeming someone can manifest through respect and recognition, similar to the use of 尚 in Chinese to express high regard for someone or something.
Word Family of 尚
Compounds34
堂táng(main) hall
掌zhǎngpalm of the hand
赏shǎngto bestow (a reward)
躺tǎngto recline
趟tāngold variant of 趟[tāng]
淌tǎngto trickle down, to flow, to drip; to shed tears
裳chánglower garment
倘chángsee 倘佯[cháng yáng]
徜chángto linger, to walk back and forth
绱shàngthe sole of a shoe; to patch, to sole
嚐cháng
黨dǎngpolitical party, gang, faction
賞shǎngreward; to appreciate; to bestow, to grant
惝chǎngalarmed, agitated
牚chēngvariant of 撐|撑[cheng1]
鞝shàng
儻tǎngif, supposing, in case
嘗chángto taste; to experience, to experiment with
埫tǎng
戃tǎng
曭tǎng
欓dǎng
灙dǎng
爣tǎng
瓽dàng
甞cháng
當dāngappropriate, timely; to act, to serve; the sound of bells
矘tǎng
緔shàng
耥tānga kind of farm tool
讜dǎng
鋿cháng
钂tǎng
鱨cháng
Words containing this character14
时尚shíshàngfashion時尚
尚shàngstill
尚未shàngwèinot yet
高尚gāoshàngnoble
和尚héshangBuddhist monk
风尚fēngshàngcurrent custom風尚
崇尚chóngshàngto revere
尚书shàngshūhigh official尚書
尚且shàngqiěyet
尚无shàngwúnot yet尚無
礼尚往来lǐshàngwǎngláifig. to return politeness for politeness禮尚往來
杨尚昆yángshàngkūnYang Shangkun (1907-1998), former president of PRC and military leader楊尚昆
尚武shàngwǔwarlike
尚可shàngkěnot bad
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 尚
What does 堂 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 尚
尚 (shàng) has several meanings depending on the context: it can mean 'yet' or 'still', 'to value', and it is also a surname. In literary contexts, it may imply a sense of respect or esteem.
Yes, 尚 (Shàng) is a recognized surname in China, although it is not among the most common ones. Like many Chinese surnames, it is often associated with historical figures or regions.
尚 (shàng) means 'yet' or 'still' in Chinese. It can also signify 'to value' or 'to esteem'. Additionally, it is a common surname in China.
To use 尚 (shàng) in a sentence, you can say '我尚未完成作业' (Wǒ shàng wèi wánchéng zuòyè), which means 'I have not yet completed my homework.' It can also be used to express value, such as '他尚有很高的价值' (Tā shàng yǒu hěn gāo de jiàzhí) meaning 'He still has a high value.'
You can use 尚 to express ongoing actions, such as '我尚在工作' (I am still working).
尚 is more commonly found in written language or formal speech rather than in casual conversations.
Yes, 尚 can be used as a verb meaning 'to value' or 'to esteem'.
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