上游
shàng yóu HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

黄河上游的水很清澈。
Huánghé shàngyóu de shuǐ hěn qīngchè.
The water in the upper reaches of the Yellow River is very clear.
工厂位于河流的上游。
Gōngchǎng wèiyú héliú de shàngyóu.
The factory is located at the headwaters of the river.
上游地区经常发生洪水。
Shàngyóu dìqū jīngcháng fāshēng hóngshuǐ.
Floods often occur in the upper reaches area.
上游的水很清澈。
Shàngyóu de shuǐ hěn qīngchè.
The water upstream is very clear.
工厂建在上游。
Gōngchǎng jiàn zài shàngyóu.
The factory is built upstream.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 上 (up) + 游 (flow/swim) = the 'up-flow' part of a river. Imagine swimming upstream against the current to reach the upper reaches.

📝 Usage Notes

Used in both formal and informal contexts, common in written and spoken language. Frequently appears in geographical, environmental, and industrial discussions, such as describing pollution sources or water management.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used as a noun in phrases like '在...的上游' (located upstream of...). Can function attributively, e.g., 上游工厂 (upstream factory).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, rivers like the Yangtze and Yellow River are historically and economically vital, so terms like 上游 are significant in discussions about development, pollution control, and regional planning.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 源头 (source/headwater), which specifically means the river's origin point, 上游 is a broader section of the river above a certain point. It contrasts with 下游 (downstream) and 中游 (midstream).

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