Directional Complement: 上来 (shànglái) - Up Toward Speaker
Use `上来` when someone or something moves from below to your current, higher position.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Use `上来` for movement going up and toward the speaker.
- Place objects go between `上` and `来` (The Object Sandwich).
- It can mean physical movement or abstractly 'surfacing' an idea.
- Always check your perspective: you must be at the higher point.
Quick Reference
| Verb Type | Structure | Example | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Motion | 走 + 上来 | 走上来 | Walk up (to me) |
| Carrying Action | 拿 + 上来 | 拿上来 | Bring up (to me) |
| Place Object | 爬 + 上 + 山 + 来 | 爬上山来 | Climb up the mountain (to me) |
| General Object | 带 + 上 + 钱 + 来 | 带上钱来 | Bring the money up (to me) |
| Mental Action | 想 + 上来 | 想不上来 | Can't think of/recall |
| Social/Status | 考 + 上来 | 考上来 | Pass and get into (a school) |
Key Examples
3 of 8你快走上来吧，二楼很凉快。
Hurry and walk up; the second floor is very cool.
他终于爬上山来了。
He finally climbed up the mountain (to where I am).
我想不上来他的名字了。
I can't think of his name.
The Magnet Rule
Imagine you are a magnet at the top of a ladder. Anything moving toward you uses '来'. Anything moving away uses '去'.
Place Sandwich
Never put a place after '上来'. It must go in the middle. '上学校来' is correct; '上来学校' is not.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Use `上来` for movement going up and toward the speaker.
- Place objects go between `上` and `来` (The Object Sandwich).
- It can mean physical movement or abstractly 'surfacing' an idea.
- Always check your perspective: you must be at the higher point.
Overview
Imagine you are standing on a balcony. You see your friend downstairs. You want them to come up to you. You shout "Come up!" In Chinese, that is 上来. It is a directional complement. It tells us two things. First, the movement is upward. Second, the movement is toward the speaker. It is like a verbal arrow. It points up and toward your face. You are the destination. Think of yourself as a magnet. Everything is moving toward your higher position. It is simple but very powerful.
How This Grammar Works
Chinese verbs love company. They often need a "complement" to finish the story. Without it, the verb feels naked. 上来 is a compound directional complement. 上 means "up." 来 means "come." Together, they describe a specific path. You use it after a main verb. The main verb tells us how the person moves. Did they run? Did they walk? Did they climb? 上来 tells us where they ended up. It is like a GPS for your sentences. It provides the final destination and the direction.
Formation Pattern
- 1The Basic Formula: [Verb] +
上来. - 2Example:
走上来(Walk up toward me). - 3With a Place Object: [Verb] +
上+ [Place] +来. - 4Example:
走上楼来(Walk up the stairs toward me). - 5With a General Object: [Verb] +
上来+ [Object]. - 6Example:
拿上来一本书(Bring up a book). - 7Alternatively: [Verb] +
上+ [Object] +来. - 8Example:
拿上一本书来(Bring up a book). - 9Abstract usage: [Verb] +
上来. - 10Example:
想上来(To think of/recall).
When To Use It
Use it when you are at the destination. You are at the top of the hill. You are on the second floor. You are on the stage. If someone is moving toward your "high" position, use 上来.
Scenario 1: At a restaurant. You are on the rooftop. Tell the waiter to bring the food. 请把菜端上来.
Scenario 2: Hiking. You reached the peak first. You cheer for your friend. 快爬上来！
Scenario 3: Office. You need a file from the basement. 请把文件送上来.
You can also use it for abstract ideas. Use it when something "surfaces" in your mind. Use it when someone reaches a certain level. It is like a bubble rising in water.
When Not To Use It
Do not use 上来 if you are at the bottom. If you are downstairs watching someone go up, use 上去. 去 means "go away from me." Do not use it for flat ground. If someone is walking toward you on the street, use 过来. Do not use it for downward movement. That is 下来. If you are sitting on the floor, don't use it. You must be at the higher point. Otherwise, you will confuse everyone. They will look at the ceiling for you.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is the "Object Sandwich." Learners often forget where to put the noun. If it is a place, it must go between 上 and 来. You cannot say 走上来楼. You must say 走上楼来. Another mistake is perspective. You must be the "upstairs" person. If you are downstairs, 上来 sounds like you are a ghost. Yes, even native speakers might laugh at this. Don't worry, just remember where you are standing. Also, don't confuse it with 起来. 起来 is for starting an action. 上来 is for the physical "up."
Contrast With Similar Patterns
上来 vs 上去: Both move up. 上来 is toward you. 上去 is away from you.
上来 vs 出来: 出来 is about coming out from inside. 上来 is about elevation.
上来 vs 过来: 过来 is just moving toward you. It does not care about height.
上来 vs 起来: 起来 is often about standing up or starting. 上来 is about reaching a higher floor or level.
Quick FAQ
Q. Can I use it for abstract things?
A. Yes! It often means "approaching" a standard or "surfacing" an idea.
Q. Is 上来 formal?
A. It is used everywhere. From street food stalls to boardrooms.
Q. What if I am not moving?
A. The complement describes the action's direction, not your movement.
Q. Can I use it for the sun?
A. Yes. The sun "comes up" toward us. 太阳升上来了.
Reference Table
| Verb Type | Structure | Example | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Motion | 走 + 上来 | 走上来 | Walk up (to me) |
| Carrying Action | 拿 + 上来 | 拿上来 | Bring up (to me) |
| Place Object | 爬 + 上 + 山 + 来 | 爬上山来 | Climb up the mountain (to me) |
| General Object | 带 + 上 + 钱 + 来 | 带上钱来 | Bring the money up (to me) |
| Mental Action | 想 + 上来 | 想不上来 | Can't think of/recall |
| Social/Status | 考 + 上来 | 考上来 | Pass and get into (a school) |
The Magnet Rule
Imagine you are a magnet at the top of a ladder. Anything moving toward you uses '来'. Anything moving away uses '去'.
Place Sandwich
Never put a place after '上来'. It must go in the middle. '上学校来' is correct; '上来学校' is not.
Mental Recall
If you forget a word, say '我想不上来'. It sounds much more natural than just saying 'I forgot'.
Social Climbing
In Chinese, '考上来' (testing up) implies working hard to reach a prestigious higher level, like a top university.
例文
8你快走上来吧，二楼很凉快。
Focus: 走上来
Hurry and walk up; the second floor is very cool.
The speaker is already on the second floor.
他终于爬上山来了。
Focus: 爬上山来
He finally climbed up the mountain (to where I am).
The place '山' splits '上' and '来'.
我想不上来他的名字了。
Focus: 想不上来
I can't think of his name.
The name won't 'surface' in the mind.
请把那份报告拿上来给我。
Focus: 拿上来
Please bring that report up to me.
Common in office settings between floors.
✗ 他走上来楼。 → ✓ 他走上楼来。
Focus: 走上楼来
He walked up the stairs.
Place objects must be in the middle.
✗ 我在楼下，你快上来。 → ✓ 我在楼上，你快上来。
Focus: 上来
I am upstairs, hurry up.
You can't say 'come up' if you are already down.
他的中文水平提高上来了。
Focus: 提高上来
His Chinese level has improved (reached a higher standard).
Used for reaching a target level.
太阳升上来了。
Focus: 升上来
The sun has risen.
The sun moves 'up' toward our world.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct placement for the place '二楼' (second floor).
他已经跑___了。
Place objects must split '上' and '来' in a directional complement.
You are on a mountain peak. Your friend is below. What do you say?
快___！这里的风景太美了。
Since you are at the destination (the peak), you use '上来' (up toward me).
Complete the sentence for 'cannot recall'.
这个字我怎么也想___。
'想不上来' is a common idiom for being unable to recall something from memory.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
上来 vs. 上去
Where does the object go?
Is there an object?
Is it a place?
Sandwich it!
Common Verbs with 上来
Movement
- • 走 (Walk)
- • 跑 (Run)
- • 爬 (Climb)
Actions
- • 拿 (Bring)
- • 送 (Deliver)
- • 端 (Carry with hands)
Frequently Asked Questions
22 questionsIt means to move from a lower position to a higher one, specifically toward the speaker. Think of it as 'Come up here'.
No, the speaker must be at the destination. If you are at the bottom, you must use 上去.
Usually, we just say 上车. However, if you are already on the bus and calling a friend, you could say 快上来.
If it's a place, it goes in the middle: 上楼来. If it's a thing, it can go at the end: 拿上来一本书.
Yes, 太阳升上来了 is very common. It feels like the sun is entering our space from below.
起来 usually means to stand up or start an action. 上来 focuses on the vertical distance toward you.
Yes, it often refers to memories 'surfacing' or a person's level 'improving' to a standard.
Use the potential form: 我想不上来. This means the thought won't 'come up' to your consciousness.
No, that is a common mistake. Because '山' is a place, you must say 跑上山来.
Absolutely! 请把书拿上来 is a very natural way to ask someone to bring a book up to you.
Sometimes. In phrases like 考上来, it implies the person successfully reached a higher status or school.
If you are both moving up together, you wouldn't use 上来 because they aren't moving toward you. You'd use 上去.
Not really. For topics appearing in conversation, we usually use 提到 or 说起.
It is mostly spoken, but you will see it in literature or reports describing trends, like 价格涨上来了 (prices rose).
Because it combines two directions: 上 (up) and 来 (toward). It gives a 3D picture of the movement.
Use 没 for past actions (没上来) or 不 for potential actions (上不来).
Yes, if you are on a boat or a dock, you could say 水涨上来了 as the water moves up toward you.
拿 is to carry in hands; 带 is to bring along with you. Both work perfectly with 上来.
Usually we say 上线. However, in a chat, you might say 你终于上来了 (You finally came online/up).
You can say 把他带上来. The person is treated like a general object and usually goes after 上来.
Mostly, but English 'up' doesn't always care where the speaker is. Chinese 上来 is very strict about your location.
No, 'waking up' is 醒来. 'Getting out of bed' is 起来.
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