Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 上海 | Shànghǎi | |
| 滬 / 沪 | abbr. | |
| 申城 | Shēnchéng | |
| 申 | Shēn | historical |
While this is a proper noun for the location, it is important to distinguish it from the English verb 'shanghai' meaning to force someone into service. In Chinese, the city name is expressed through several forms including historical and abbreviated versions.
What does it mean word for word?
The name 上海 is composed of 上 (shàng), meaning 'above' or 'upon' and 海 (hǎi), meaning 'sea', literally translating to 'Upon the sea'.
Which one should you use?
上海 is the standard name for the city. 滬 / 沪 are abbreviations used to refer to Shanghai, and 申 is a historical abbreviation frequently seen in written form. 申城 is a poetic or literary nickname for the city derived from the historical name 申.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
Shànghǎi
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers should be careful not to confuse the city name 上海 (Shànghǎi) with the English verb 'shanghai' (to force into service), as they are homophones in English but distinct in Chinese.
Did you know?
- The historical abbreviation 申 began as a pictogram of a bolt of lightning and is an ancestor to the modern characters for 'lightning' 電 and 'god' 神.
Examples in context
- 他沒去上海。He didn't go to Shanghai.This sentence shows the use of 上海 regarding movement to a location.Tatoeba #6092445 by xjjAstrus, translation #12130707 by timmartin
- 我出生在上海。I was born in Shanghai.This sentence shows the use of 上海 regarding birth location.Tatoeba #9991970 by GlossaMatik, translation #10372344 by DaoSeng
- 你去过上海吗？Have you ever been to Shanghai?This sentence shows the use of 上海 when asking about past travel experience.Tatoeba #10155004 by GlossaMatik, translation #10276510 by DaoSeng
- 上海以其现代化的天际线而闻名。Shanghai is known for its modern skyline.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a future trip.
- 梓涵 Zihan我们明年去上海旅游吧。Wǒmen míngnián qù Shànghǎi lǚyóu ba.Let's travel to Shanghai next year.
- 志强 Zhiqiang上海有很多好玩的地方。Shànghǎi yǒu hěnduō hǎowán de dìfang.Shanghai has many fun places.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，你觉得怎么样？Zhìqiáng, nǐ juéde zěnmeyàng?Zhiqiang, what do you think?
- 志强 Zhiqiang好啊，我一直很想去上海。Hǎo a, wǒ yìzhí hěn xiǎng qù Shànghǎi.Sure, I have always wanted to go to Shanghai.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shanghai” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 上海, 滬, 申, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
