上升 (shàngshēng) — to rise, to increase, to ascend

上升 (shàngshēng)

上升 describes an upward movement or increase in quantity, level, or degree, functioning as the counterpart to 下降 and commonly used in statistical, scientific, and social discourse.

Meanings

1. [verb] to rise, to increase, to ascend, to go up (in level, quantity, or degree)
2. [noun] rise, increase, ascent (in compound or nominal use)

Example Sentences

近年来，全球平均气温持续上升，引发各国担忧。 Jìn nián lái, quánqiú píngjūn qìwēn chíxù shàngshēng, yǐnfā gè guó dānyōu. In recent years, global average temperatures have continued to rise, causing concern among countries worldwide.

随着经济的发展，居民的生活水平逐步上升。 Suízhe jīngjì de fāzhǎn, jūmín de shēnghuó shuǐpíng zhúbù shàngshēng. As the economy develops, residents' standard of living gradually rises.

物价上升对低收入家庭的影响尤为明显。 Wùjià shàngshēng duì dī shōurù jiātíng de yǐngxiǎng yóu wéi míngxiǎn. The rise in prices has a particularly noticeable impact on low-income families.

这家公司的股价今天大幅上升，投资者信心增强。 Zhè jiā gōngsī de gǔjià jīntiān dàfú shàngshēng, tóuzī zhě xìnxīn zēngqiáng. This company's stock price rose sharply today, boosting investor confidence.

热气球缓缓上升，越来越靠近云层。 Rè qìqiú huǎnhuǎn shàngshēng, yuèlái yuè kàojìn yúncéng. The hot air balloon rose slowly, getting closer and closer to the clouds.

个人能力的上升需要持续学习和实践。 Gèrén nénglì de shàngshēng xūyào chíxù xuéxí hé shíjiàn. The rise of personal ability requires continuous learning and practice.

Collocations

Usage Notes

上升 is a neutral, factual term for upward movement or increase and appears frequently in news, economic reports, and scientific writing. It is often contrasted with 下降 in the same context to describe trends. Unlike 增长, which is primarily used for quantitative economic growth, 上升 can be used for a wider range of phenomena including temperature, prices, levels, and even abstract qualities.

At B2 level, learners should master the pair 上升/下降 for expressing trends clearly in both written and spoken Chinese.

Memory Hook

上 is up and 升 means to rise or lift -- 上升 is doubly upward, like the sun (太阳) rising to higher and higher positions in the sky.