Definition
上岸 is a separable verb (离合词) with two main uses: the literal meaning 'to go ashore' or 'to land' from a boat, and a modern slang sense meaning 'to secure a stable job in the public sector' (e.g., passing the civil service exam or getting a government position). As a verb-object compound, 上 and 岸 can split when inserting a measure word, duration, or potential complement, e.g., 上了一次岸 (got ashore once / secured a job once) or 上不了岸 (unable to secure a stable job).
v.o.
to go ashoreto land(slang) to secure a stable job in the public sector (e.g., pass the civil service exam or obtain a government position)
Examples
- ，上岸。Chuán kào àn hòu, chéngkèmen fēnfēn shàng àn.After the boat docked, the passengers went ashore one after another.
- 。Tā shàng le yí cì àn jiù zài yě bù xiǎng qù sīqǐ le.After securing a stable job once, he never wanted to go back to private enterprises.
- ，上岸。Hěnduō rén nǔlì duō nián, jiù wèile shàng àn.Many people work hard for years just to secure a stable job in the public sector.
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