shàng biān
above; on
上边有只鸟。
Shàngbian yǒu zhī niǎo.
There is a bird up there.
上边有朵花。
Shàngbian yǒu duǒ huā.
There is a flower up there.
上边有个人。
Shàngbian yǒu gè rén.
There is a person up there.
上面 (shàngmiàn)
above; on top
上头 (shàngtóu)
above; on top
上头儿 (shàngtóur)
above; on top
下边 (xiàbian)
below
底下 (dǐxia)
underneath
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The Chinese word 上边 (shàngbian) is composed of two characters: 上 (shàng) and 边 (biān). The character 上 originally meant "to ascend" or "to go up", and it is often used to indicate a higher position or level. The character 边 originally meant "edge" or "border", and it is often used to indicate a boundary or limit. When combined, the two characters 上边 literally mean "the upper side" or "the upper edge". In modern Chinese, 上边 is used to refer to a higher authority, a superior, or a higher level of government. It can also be used to refer to the upper part of something, such as the upper part of a building or the upper part of a body.
