Abstract: The “focusbackground” of the Chinese orientation constructions “X is on Y ”is not only dissociative, but also transformational . Although the word “on” can express a variety of spatial relations, in these relations, only to the relation of upward contact and the disjointness may allow the “X is on Y” to translate into “Y is under X”. Between the two relationships, if the focus “X” expresses the thing capable of active movement, the focus “X” and background “Y” cannot switch into each other; if the focus “X” expresses the thing incapable of active movement, the switch will accord with the size of “X” and “Y”. This shows that the transition of “X is on Y” into “Y is under X” depends on active movement, and the size of the shape is secondary.

Key words: orientation construction, focusbackground, transition

摘要： 汉语方位构式“X在Y上”中的焦点—背景不仅具有分离性，还具有转换性。“上”所表达的多种空间关系中，只有向上接触关系和相离关系有可能允许“X在Y上”转换为“Y在X下”。在这两种关系中，如果焦点X位置上表达的事物能主动运动，X与Y不能对应转换；如果焦点X位置上表达的事物不能主动运动，X与Y的对应转换要根据形体大小差异而定。说明在构式“X在Y上”的转换中能否主动运动是第一性的，形体大小是第二性的。

关键词: 方位构式, 焦点—背景, 转换性