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March 24, 2026
下xià(xia4)
The character 下 (xià) primarily means 'down' or 'below,' and is used in various contexts to indicate direction, position, or time. It can also denote a lower level in hierarchy or rank and is commonly used in phrases related to going down, declining, or specifying the next in a sequence.
Strokes3Radical一Frequency#83DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of hierarchy is significant, and 下 can be used to refer to lower ranks or positions, reflecting the importance of respect and status in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person named 'Xia' who is always climbing down from a mountain. The character 下 resembles a downward stroke, which can help you remember that it means 'down' or 'below'. Picture Xia descending to reach the next level or part, reinforcing the meaning.
Meanings of 下
xià(xia4)
1down
2downwards
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 下
下Simplified
3Strokes
一Radical
方位词direction word (dir.)Part of Speech
#83Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 下
Podcast: 下
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AI Study Notes for 下
Quick Contrast
下 (xià) vs 低 (dī) — use 下 for direction or position, while 低 specifically refers to a lower height or level.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person named 'Xia' who is always climbing down from a mountain. The character 下 resembles a downward stroke, which can help you remember that it means 'down' or 'below'. Picture Xia descending to reach the next level or part, reinforcing the meaning.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 下 with 上 (shàng), which means 'up.' In informal contexts, 下 can be used to indicate a future time, such as 'next week,' so ensure you use it correctly in temporal phrases. It's often used in combination with other characters, such as 下雨 (xià yǔ) meaning 'to rain.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 下 connects well with other basic verbs and directional words. Focus on using it in simple sentences related to actions or positions, as it sets a foundation for understanding more complex phrases in later levels.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of hierarchy is significant, and 下 can be used to refer to lower ranks or positions, reflecting the importance of respect and status in social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 下 in contexts requiring 上, such as saying '我们下去' (wǒmen xià qù) instead of '我们上去' (wǒmen shàng qù) when indicating upward movement. Remember, 下 indicates going down, while 上 is for going up.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 下
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Grammar Patterns of 下
下 carries 12 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
I let the horse drop his head to crop the spring grass.
Cultural Notes for 下
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of hierarchy is significant, and 下 can be used to refer to lower ranks or positions, reflecting the importance of respect and status in social interactions.
Word Family of 下
Compounds17
吓he4to scare
虾ha2shrimp, prawn
忑te4fearful, nervous, timid
乤
峠
閇
圷
垰
挊
桛
梺
疜
芐
裃
雫
鞐
颪
Words Containing This Character20
下xiàdown
一下yíxiàone time
下来xiàláito come down下來
下去xiàqùto go down
下午xiàwǔafternoon
留下liúxiato leave behind
下面xiàmiànbelow
以下yǐxiàthat level or lower
下降xiàjiàngto decline
剩下shèngxiàto remain
放下fàngxiàto lay down
下次xiàcìnext time
坐下zuòxiato sit down
之下zhīxiàunder
下跌xiàdiēto fall
天下tiānxiàland under heaven
停下tíngxiàto stop
地下dìxiàunderground
接下来jiēxiàláito accept接下來
如下rúxiàas follows
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 吓 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 下
下 (xià) means 'down' while 上 (shàng) means 'up' in Chinese. They are often used together to describe vertical movement or position, and understanding their oppositional nature is essential for learners. For example, '上' indicates going higher, while '下' indicates going lower.
Yes, 下 can be used both literally, such as indicating a downward direction, and figuratively, such as in expressions like '下一个' (the next one). This versatility makes it a common character in the Chinese language.
下 (xià) translates to 'down,' 'downwards,' or 'below' in English. It can also refer to something that is 'lower' in position or rank. In time expressions, it often means 'later' or 'next,' such as '下周' (next week).
下 can be used to indicate direction, such as in the sentence '我下楼' (I am going downstairs). It can also be used in temporal contexts, for example, '下个月' (next month). Understanding its usage in different contexts is key to mastering its application.
You can say '他下楼了' (tā xià lóu le), which means 'He went downstairs.'
No, 下 can also refer to time or rank, such as '下周' (xià zhōu) meaning 'next week.'
下面 (xià miàn) means 'below' or 'underneath,' while 下 (xià) can be used more generally to indicate downward movement or lower status.
