上空

じょうくう

sky, high-altitude sky, upper air

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"上空" (shàngkōng) literally means "above the sky" or "upper air," and it refers to the airspace or sky area above a certain point on the ground. It is commonly used in contexts involving aviation, weather, or aerial views.

Common Contexts

You will often see "上空" used when talking about airplanes, drones, or weather phenomena occurring high above the ground. For example, "上空盘旋" means circling in the sky, and "上空" refers to wind speed at high altitude.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 上空盘旋: circling in the sky, often describing aircraft behavior.
  • 上空: wind speed in the upper air, used in meteorology.
  • 上空拍摄: aerial photography or filming from above.

Usage Notes

"上空" is a noun and usually appears as a location phrase indicating where something happens. It is more formal and specific than just "天空" (sky), emphasizing the airspace above a particular area. Avoid confusing it with "天空," which is more general and poetic.

Summary

Use "上空" when you want to specify the airspace above a location, especially in technical, aviation, or meteorological contexts. It helps convey a precise spatial relationship between the ground and the sky above.

Example Sentences

The airplane is circling in the sky, preparing to land.

The wind speed in the upper air is much greater than on the ground.

The drone took panoramic photos of the forest from above.