上交

shàngjiāo: 上交 - To Turn In, Hand Over, Submit

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: The Chinese verb 上交 (shàngjiāo) means “to turn in,” “to hand over,” or “to submit.” It specifically describes the action of giving something to a person or entity of higher authority, such as turning in homework to a teacher, submitting a report to a boss, or handing over profits to the state. The word carries a sense of formality and acknowledges a hierarchical structure, making it a crucial term for understanding interactions in school, the workplace, and official settings in China.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): shàng jiāo
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: To turn in or hand over something to a superior or authority.
  • In a Nutshell: Think of 上交 (shàngjiāo) as “giving upwards.” The character 上 (shàng) means “up,” which is the key to its meaning. You don't just give (给 gěi) something; you submit it up the chain of command. This act inherently recognizes that the receiver (a teacher, a boss, the government) is in a position of authority. It’s the official verb for fulfilling your duty to provide something to those above you.

Character Breakdown

  • 上 (shàng): This character is a pictograph of a short vertical line above a long horizontal line, symbolizing something being “on top” or “above.” It means “up,” “on,” or “superior.”
  • 交 (jiāo): This character originally depicted a person with crossed legs, symbolizing interaction, exchange, or intersection. It has come to mean “to hand over,” “to deliver,” or “to associate with.”
  • Together, 上交 (shàngjiāo) literally means “to hand over upwards.” The combination perfectly captures the essence of submitting something to a higher authority within a structured system.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • Hierarchy and Respect: 上交 is a word deeply embedded in the cultural importance of hierarchy and structure in Chinese society. Whether in the family, at school, or in the workplace, there is a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities. Using 上交 is a linguistic acknowledgment of this structure; it shows respect and an understanding of one's position and duties.
  • Comparison to “Turn In”: In English, a teacher might say, “Turn in your homework.” The phrase is a straightforward command. In Chinese, `请把作业上交 (qǐng bǎ zuòyè shàngjiāo)` carries a slightly more formal and respectful tone. It reinforces the teacher's authority and the student's obligation. While you can also just say `交作业 (jiāo zuòyè)`, adding `上` emphasizes the “upward” direction of the action, making it more formal and appropriate for the context. It's the difference between a simple transaction and an act of fulfilling a duty within a defined hierarchy. This concept is less pronounced in modern, more casual Western workplace or school environments.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • In School: This is the most common context for learners. Students 上交 homework (作业), essays (作文), and reports (报告) to their teachers.
    • ``学生们排队把作业上交给老师。``
    • (Xuéshengmen páiduì bǎ zuòyè shàngjiāo gěi lǎoshī.)
    • The students lined up to turn in their homework to the teacher.
  • In the Workplace: Employees 上交 documents, reports, summaries, and proposals to their managers or superiors.
    • ``我需要在这个星期五之前把月度总结上交。``
    • (Wǒ xūyào zài zhège xīngqíwǔ zhīqián bǎ yuèdù zǒngjié shàngjiāo.)
    • I need to submit the monthly summary before this Friday.
  • Official/Legal Contexts: This involves handing something over to an official body like the police or the government. This can include found property, required documents, or even profits from a state-owned enterprise.
    • ``他把捡到的钱包上交给了警察。``
    • (Tā bǎ jiǎndào de qiánbāo shàngjiāo gěi le jǐngchá.)
    • He handed the wallet he found over to the police.
  • Connotation: The word is formal and neutral. It implies a required action and is not used in casual situations among friends or peers. You would never 上交 a gift to a friend; you would `送 (sòng)` or `给 (gěi)` it to them.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 老师让我们明天上交作业。
    • Pinyin: Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen míngtiān shàngjiāo zuòyè.
    • English: The teacher told us to turn in our homework tomorrow.
    • Analysis: A classic and essential sentence for any student. This is a very standard use of the word in a school setting.
  • Example 2:
    • 你必须在周五之前把这份报告上交给经理。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ bìxū zài zhōuwǔ zhīqián bǎ zhè fèn bàogào shàngjiāo gěi jīnglǐ.
    • English: You must submit this report to the manager before Friday.
    • Analysis: Note the use of the `把 (bǎ)` structure, which is very common with 上交 to emphasize the object being submitted.
  • Example 3:
    • 我已经把我的辞职信上交了。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ yǐjīng bǎ wǒ de cízhíxìn shàngjiāo le.
    • English: I have already handed in my letter of resignation.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates a very formal and serious use of 上交 in a professional context. Resigning involves submitting a formal document to a superior.
  • Example 4:
    • 他因为没有按时上交文件而被批评了。
    • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi méiyǒu ànshí shàngjiāo wénjiàn ér bèi pīpíng le.
    • English: He was criticized for not turning in the documents on time.
    • Analysis: This sentence shows the negative consequence of failing to 上交 something, highlighting its obligatory nature.
  • Example 5:
    • 所有参赛者都需要上交一份个人简介。
    • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu cānsài zhě dōu xūyào shàngjiāo yī fèn gèrén jiǎnjiè.
    • English: All contestants need to submit a personal profile.
    • Analysis: Here, the “authority” is the organization running the competition.
  • Example 6:
    • 捡到东西上交是一种美德。
    • Pinyin: Jiǎndào dōngxi shàngjiāo shì yī zhǒng měidé.
    • English: Turning in things you find is a virtue.
    • Analysis: This sentence elevates 上交 to a moral action, referring to handing lost items over to the proper authorities (police, school office, etc.).
  • Example 7:
    • 这家国企每年都把大部分利润上交国库。
    • Pinyin: Zhè jiā guóqǐ měinián dōu bǎ dà bùfèn lìrùn shàngjiāo guókù.
    • English: This state-owned enterprise turns over most of its profits to the national treasury every year.
    • Analysis: A very formal, economic use of the term, where the authority is the state itself.
  • Example 8:
    • 请把填好的表格上交到前台。
    • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ tiánhǎo de biǎogé shàngjiāo dào qiántái.
    • English: Please submit the filled-out form to the front desk.
    • Analysis: A polite and formal instruction you might see in an office, bank, or hotel.
  • Example 9:
    • 这份文件需要上交给谁？
    • Pinyin: Zhè fèn wénjiàn xūyào shàngjiāo gěi shéi?
    • English: Who does this document need to be submitted to?
    • Analysis: A practical question to ask in a work or school environment to clarify the proper recipient (the authority).
  • Example 10:
    • 他被要求上交他的护照。
    • Pinyin: Tā bèi yāoqiú shàngjiāo tā de hùzhào.
    • English: He was required to surrender his passport.
    • Analysis: In this context, 上交 can mean “surrender” or “hand over” to an official authority, like customs or the police.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `上交` vs. `交` (jiāo):
    • `交 (jiāo)` is a broader verb meaning “to hand in,” “to pay,” or “to make friends.” You can say `交作业 (jiāo zuòyè)` or `上交作业 (shàngjiāo zuòyè)`. However, `上交` is more formal and explicitly emphasizes the hierarchical relationship. You can `交朋友 (jiāo péngyou - make friends)` but you absolutely cannot `上交朋友`.
    • Mistake: ``我要上交这个月的房租。`` (Wǒ yào shàngjiāo zhège yuè de fángzū.)
    • Correction: ``我要交这个月的房租。`` (Wǒ yào jiāo zhège yuè de fángzū.)
    • Reason: Paying rent (`交房租`) is a transaction with a landlord, not typically seen as submitting something “up” to a superior in the same way as homework. `交` is sufficient and more natural.
  • `上交` vs. `给` (gěi):
    • `给 (gěi)` just means “to give.” It's neutral and used in all types of situations, especially informal ones. Using `给` where `上交` is expected can sound overly casual or even slightly disrespectful.
    • Mistake: ``我把报告给了我的老板。`` (Wǒ bǎ bàogào gěi le wǒ de lǎobǎn.)
    • Correction: ``我把报告上交给了我的老板。`` (Wǒ bǎ bàogào shàngjiāo gěi le wǒ de lǎobǎn.)
    • Reason: While grammatically correct, the first sentence sounds like you're just casually handing a thing to your boss. The second sentence correctly reflects the professional context of formally submitting a report to a superior.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 提交 (tíjiāo): To submit. A very close synonym, often used for online submissions (“click here to submit”) and formal applications. It can feel more technical or neutral than `上交`.
  • 递交 (dìjiāo): To hand in, to present, to submit. This is very formal and often used for significant documents like a résumé, a formal application, or a letter of protest. It emphasizes the physical act of formally passing something over.
  • 交 (jiāo): The root verb. More general than `上交`, it means to hand over, deliver, or pay.
  • 上报 (shàngbào): To report to a higher level. This is used for information or situations, not physical objects. You `上报` an incident, but you `上交` the written report about the incident.
  • 缴纳 (jiǎonà): To pay (taxes, fees). A very formal verb used specifically for mandatory payments to an organization or the government.
  • 下发 (xiàfā): To issue, to dispatch (from above). This is the direct antonym of `上交`. A boss `下发` instructions, and an employee `上交` the completed work.
  • 作业 (zuòyè): Homework. The most common object of the verb `上交` for language learners.
  • 报告 (bàogào): Report. Another very common noun used with `上交` in academic and professional settings.