动词 + 上 + 数量
to do something for (or up to) a certain amount, stressing that the amount is reached
Structure
动词 上 数量（时间／次数／东西）
What it means
上 after a verb, followed by an amount, says the action reaches that amount: a large amount stresses how much or how long; with 就 and a small amount, how little it takes.
How it is built
Verb + 上 + number and measure word, or a length of time: 一锅老火汤要煲上三个小时 (A pot of old-fire soup takes a good three hours). 了 goes after 上: 煲上了三个小时.
When to use it
Spoken and written alike. Large amount: 奶奶要做上一大桌子菜 (a whole tableful). Small amount with 就: 好好睡上一觉就没事了 (just have a good sleep and you will be fine).
Watch out
The amount is needed: without it 上 means something else, as in 先把汤煲上 (get the soup on first). Put 了 after 上: ✗煲了上三个小时。 ✓煲上了三个小时。
Examples
一锅老火汤往往要煲上三个小时以上。
A pot of old-fire soup often takes a good three hours or more.
每次回老家，奶奶都要做上一大桌子菜。
Every time we go back home, Grandma cooks a whole tableful of food.
你只是太累了，好好睡上一觉就没事了。
You are just worn out: have a good sleep and you will be fine.
Learn this in Lesson 136 · HSK 7–9: 一锅老火汤 (A pot of slow-cooked soup)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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