====== shàngjiāo: 上交 - To Turn In, Hand Over, Submit ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** shangjiao, 上交, what does shangjiao mean, turn in homework in Chinese, submit a report in Chinese, hand over in Chinese, Chinese verb, 上交 definition, 上交 examples, HSK 4 vocabulary, Chinese hierarchy
  * **Summary:** The Chinese verb **上交 (shàngjiāo)** means "to turn in," "to hand over," or "to submit." It specifically describes the action of giving something to a person or entity of higher authority, such as turning in homework to a teacher, submitting a report to a boss, or handing over profits to the state. The word carries a sense of formality and acknowledges a hierarchical structure, making it a crucial term for understanding interactions in school, the workplace, and official settings in China.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shàng jiāo
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 4
  * **Concise Definition:** To turn in or hand over something to a superior or authority.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **上交 (shàngjiāo)** as "giving upwards." The character **上 (shàng)** means "up," which is the key to its meaning. You don't just //give// (给 gěi) something; you //submit it up// the chain of command. This act inherently recognizes that the receiver (a teacher, a boss, the government) is in a position of authority. It’s the official verb for fulfilling your duty to provide something to those above you.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **上 (shàng):** This character is a pictograph of a short vertical line above a long horizontal line, symbolizing something being "on top" or "above." It means "up," "on," or "superior."
  * **交 (jiāo):** This character originally depicted a person with crossed legs, symbolizing interaction, exchange, or intersection. It has come to mean "to hand over," "to deliver," or "to associate with."
  * **Together, 上交 (shàngjiāo)** literally means "to hand over upwards." The combination perfectly captures the essence of submitting something to a higher authority within a structured system.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * **Hierarchy and Respect:** **上交** is a word deeply embedded in the cultural importance of hierarchy and structure in Chinese society. Whether in the family, at school, or in the workplace, there is a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities. Using **上交** is a linguistic acknowledgment of this structure; it shows respect and an understanding of one's position and duties.
  * **Comparison to "Turn In":** In English, a teacher might say, "Turn in your homework." The phrase is a straightforward command. In Chinese, `请把作业**上交** (qǐng bǎ zuòyè shàngjiāo)` carries a slightly more formal and respectful tone. It reinforces the teacher's authority and the student's obligation. While you can also just say `交作业 (jiāo zuòyè)`, adding `上` emphasizes the "upward" direction of the action, making it more formal and appropriate for the context. It's the difference between a simple transaction and an act of fulfilling a duty within a defined hierarchy. This concept is less pronounced in modern, more casual Western workplace or school environments.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **In School:** This is the most common context for learners. Students **上交** homework (作业), essays (作文), and reports (报告) to their teachers.
    * ``学生们排队把作业**上交**给老师。``
    * (Xuéshengmen páiduì bǎ zuòyè **shàngjiāo** gěi lǎoshī.)
    * The students lined up to turn in their homework to the teacher.
  * **In the Workplace:** Employees **上交** documents, reports, summaries, and proposals to their managers or superiors.
    * ``我需要在这个星期五之前把月度总结**上交**。``
    * (Wǒ xūyào zài zhège xīngqíwǔ zhīqián bǎ yuèdù zǒngjié **shàngjiāo**.)
    * I need to submit the monthly summary before this Friday.
  * **Official/Legal Contexts:** This involves handing something over to an official body like the police or the government. This can include found property, required documents, or even profits from a state-owned enterprise.
    * ``他把捡到的钱包**上交**给了警察。``
    * (Tā bǎ jiǎndào de qiánbāo **shàngjiāo** gěi le jǐngchá.)
    * He handed the wallet he found over to the police.
  * **Connotation:** The word is formal and neutral. It implies a required action and is not used in casual situations among friends or peers. You would never **上交** a gift to a friend; you would `送 (sòng)` or `给 (gěi)` it to them.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 老师让我们明天**上交**作业。
    * Pinyin: Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen míngtiān **shàngjiāo** zuòyè.
    * English: The teacher told us to turn in our homework tomorrow.
    * Analysis: A classic and essential sentence for any student. This is a very standard use of the word in a school setting.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 你必须在周五之前把这份报告**上交**给经理。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ bìxū zài zhōuwǔ zhīqián bǎ zhè fèn bàogào **shàngjiāo** gěi jīnglǐ.
    * English: You must submit this report to the manager before Friday.
    * Analysis: Note the use of the `把 (bǎ)` structure, which is very common with **上交** to emphasize the object being submitted.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 我已经把我的辞职信**上交**了。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ yǐjīng bǎ wǒ de cízhíxìn **shàngjiāo** le.
    * English: I have already handed in my letter of resignation.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates a very formal and serious use of **上交** in a professional context. Resigning involves submitting a formal document to a superior.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 他因为没有按时**上交**文件而被批评了。
    * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi méiyǒu ànshí **shàngjiāo** wénjiàn ér bèi pīpíng le.
    * English: He was criticized for not turning in the documents on time.
    * Analysis: This sentence shows the negative consequence of failing to **上交** something, highlighting its obligatory nature.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 所有参赛者都需要**上交**一份个人简介。
    * Pinyin: Suǒyǒu cānsài zhě dōu xūyào **shàngjiāo** yī fèn gèrén jiǎnjiè.
    * English: All contestants need to submit a personal profile.
    * Analysis: Here, the "authority" is the organization running the competition.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 捡到东西**上交**是一种美德。
    * Pinyin: Jiǎndào dōngxi **shàngjiāo** shì yī zhǒng měidé.
    * English: Turning in things you find is a virtue.
    * Analysis: This sentence elevates **上交** to a moral action, referring to handing lost items over to the proper authorities (police, school office, etc.).
  * **Example 7:**
    * 这家国企每年都把大部分利润**上交**国库。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā guóqǐ měinián dōu bǎ dà bùfèn lìrùn **shàngjiāo** guókù.
    * English: This state-owned enterprise turns over most of its profits to the national treasury every year.
    * Analysis: A very formal, economic use of the term, where the authority is the state itself.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 请把填好的表格**上交**到前台。
    * Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ tiánhǎo de biǎogé **shàngjiāo** dào qiántái.
    * English: Please submit the filled-out form to the front desk.
    * Analysis: A polite and formal instruction you might see in an office, bank, or hotel.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 这份文件需要**上交**给谁？
    * Pinyin: Zhè fèn wénjiàn xūyào **shàngjiāo** gěi shéi?
    * English: Who does this document need to be submitted to?
    * Analysis: A practical question to ask in a work or school environment to clarify the proper recipient (the authority).
  * **Example 10:**
    * 他被要求**上交**他的护照。
    * Pinyin: Tā bèi yāoqiú **shàngjiāo** tā de hùzhào.
    * English: He was required to surrender his passport.
    * Analysis: In this context, **上交** can mean "surrender" or "hand over" to an official authority, like customs or the police.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`上交` vs. `交` (jiāo):**
    * `交 (jiāo)` is a broader verb meaning "to hand in," "to pay," or "to make friends." You can say `交作业 (jiāo zuòyè)` or `上交作业 (shàngjiāo zuòyè)`. However, `上交` is more formal and explicitly emphasizes the hierarchical relationship. You can `交朋友 (jiāo péngyou - make friends)` but you absolutely cannot `**上交**朋友`.
    * **Mistake:** ``我要**上交**这个月的房租。`` (Wǒ yào shàngjiāo zhège yuè de fángzū.)
    * **Correction:** ``我要**交**这个月的房租。`` (Wǒ yào jiāo zhège yuè de fángzū.)
    * **Reason:** Paying rent (`交房租`) is a transaction with a landlord, not typically seen as submitting something "up" to a superior in the same way as homework. `交` is sufficient and more natural.
  * **`上交` vs. `给` (gěi):**
    * `给 (gěi)` just means "to give." It's neutral and used in all types of situations, especially informal ones. Using `给` where `上交` is expected can sound overly casual or even slightly disrespectful.
    * **Mistake:** ``我把报告**给**了我的老板。`` (Wǒ bǎ bàogào gěi le wǒ de lǎobǎn.)
    * **Correction:** ``我把报告**上交**给了我的老板。`` (Wǒ bǎ bàogào shàngjiāo gěi le wǒ de lǎobǎn.)
    * **Reason:** While grammatically correct, the first sentence sounds like you're just casually handing a thing to your boss. The second sentence correctly reflects the professional context of formally submitting a report to a superior.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[提交]] (tíjiāo):** To submit. A very close synonym, often used for online submissions ("click here to submit") and formal applications. It can feel more technical or neutral than `上交`.
  * **[[递交]] (dìjiāo):** To hand in, to present, to submit. This is very formal and often used for significant documents like a résumé, a formal application, or a letter of protest. It emphasizes the physical act of formally passing something over.
  * **[[交]] (jiāo):** The root verb. More general than `上交`, it means to hand over, deliver, or pay.
  * **[[上报]] (shàngbào):** To report to a higher level. This is used for //information// or situations, not physical objects. You `上报` an incident, but you `上交` the written report about the incident.
  * **[[缴纳]] (jiǎonà):** To pay (taxes, fees). A very formal verb used specifically for mandatory payments to an organization or the government.
  * **[[下发]] (xiàfā):** To issue, to dispatch (from above). This is the direct antonym of `上交`. A boss `下发` instructions, and an employee `上交` the completed work.
  * **[[作业]] (zuòyè):** Homework. The most common object of the verb `上交` for language learners.
  * **[[报告]] (bàogào):** Report. Another very common noun used with `上交` in academic and professional settings.