The role of “上” (Shang) in modern Chinese word formation and terminology

Abstract

In modern Chinese, “上” (shang) is not only one of the most frequently used locative words but also functions across multiple grammatical categories and shows strong word-formation productivity. Originally denoting a concrete spatial position meaning “above” or “up”, “上” has undergone a long process of grammaticalization and metaphorical extension, becoming an important morpheme in forming numerous compounds and terms across fields such as politics, economics, society, technology, and digital space. Based on real linguistic data and a cognitive linguistics framework, this study analyses the mechanisms through which “上” extends its meaning from the physical spatial domain to more abstract domains, including social status, time, states of activity, and especially the digital space (e.g., 上线 'to go online', 上载 'to upload'). The findings indicate that “上” plays a central role in shaping the vertical spatial cognition of the Chinese people, while reflecting how modern people use familiar spatial experiences to express new concepts in the digital age.