How to Write 尙 (shàng) — Meaning “Still; yet; to value (variant)”

Imagine a small box (the bottom part) that is still closed, with a tiny dot on top (the 小 radical) representing something small but valuable that you still have. This visual can remind you that 尙 means "still" or "yet" in phrases like 尙未 (not yet).

The top 小 part should be written small and centered, with the vertical stroke (the hook) pointing down into the bottom box. A common mistake is making the bottom part too narrow — it should be wide enough to hold the top stroke, like an open rectangle.

尙 has a small 小 on top and a wide bottom box, meaning "still." 尖 (jiān) combines 大 (big) on top and 小 (small) on bottom, meaning "pointy" or "sharp." 尗 (shū) looks like 尙 but with the bottom part closed, and it is used as a component in characters like 叔.

尙 appears mostly in formal or literary expressions, such as 高尙 (noble), 尙未 (not yet), and 尙好 (still good). It is a variant of the more common character 尚, so you may see it in classical texts or elegant writing to add a classic feel.

Common words containing 尙 include: 高尙 (gāo shàng) — noble; lofty; 尙未 (shàng wèi) — Not yet; 尙好 (shàng hǎo) — Still good; fairly good.