Introduction:
You know 上 (shàng) as "up" and 下 (xià) as "down." But like 打 (dǎ), these characters are used in countless compound words, often with meanings that go far beyond simple direction. Let's explore some of their most common uses at the HSK4 level.

上 (shàng) - More Than "Up"

1. To Attend / To Go To:

• 上学 (shàng xué) - to go to school

• 上班 (shàng bān) - to go to work

• 上课 (shàng kè) - to go to class / to have a lesson

2. To Get On (a vehicle):

• 上车 (shàng chē) - to get on a bus/car/train

• 上飞机 (shàng fēijī) - to board a plane

3. Last / Previous:

• 上个星期 (shàng gè xīngqī) - last week

• 上个月 (shàng gè yuè) - last month

下 (xià) - More Than "Down"

1. To Get Off (a vehicle):

• 下车 (xià chē) - to get off a bus/car/train

• 下飞机 (xià fēijī) - to get off a plane

2. Next:

• 下个星期 (xià gè xīngqī) - next week

• 下个月 (xià gè yuè) - next month

3. To Do an Action (often briefly or lightly):

• 下雨 (xià yǔ) - to rain (雨 "falls down")

• 下课 (xià kè) - class is over / to finish class

• 下班 (xià bān) - to get off work

Practice:
Fill in the blank with 上 or 下.

1. 我每天八点____班。 (Wǒ měitiān bā diǎn __ bān.) - I go to work at 8 every day.
   (Answer: 上)

2. 我们____个星期六去看电影吧。 (Wǒmen __ gè xīngqīliù qù kàn diànyǐng ba.) - Let's go see a movie next Saturday.
   (Answer: 下)

3. 快____车，我们到了！ (Kuài __ chē, wǒmen dào le!) - Get off the car quickly, we're here!
   (Answer: 下)