上级 shàngjí higher authorities
higher authorities; superiors
How to remember 上级: 上 above + 级 grade = higher authorities.
Characters
How it is used
- One's superior or the higher authority in a hierarchy - 服从上级 (fúcóng shàngjí) to obey one's superiors; 上级领导 (shàngjí lǐngdǎo) higher-up leadership.
- Paired opposite is 下级 (xiàjí, subordinate); the axis is organizational rank, common in work, army, and government contexts - 他的下级 (tā de xiàjí) his subordinates.
- Refers to the person or body above you, not a comparative 'level' - for that use 级别 (jíbié).
Example sentences
- 被告会向上级法院上诉。 Bèigào huì xiàng shàngjífǎyuàn shàngsù.The defendant will appeal to a higher court.