HSK 4, a, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1512, Medium
低
dī
beneath
HSK 4, a, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1512, Medium
低
dī
to lower (one's head)
HSK 4, a, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1512, Medium
低
dī
to let droop
HSK 4, a, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1512, Medium
低
dī
to hang down
HSK 4, a, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1512, Medium
低
dī
to incline
HSK 4, a, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1512, Medium
低
dī
low; to lower, to hang; to bend, to bow
HSK 4, a, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1512, Medium
dī(di1) T1
1low
2beneath
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March 24, 2026
低dī(di1)
The character 低 (dī) primarily means 'low' or 'beneath.' It can refer to physical height, as in something being low to the ground, or metaphorically, such as a low status or low spirits. It is commonly used in expressions related to altitude, social status, or even temperature.
Strokes7Radical亻Frequency#1512DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of humility is essential, and 低 can symbolize modesty and the practice of lowering oneself in social situations to show respect.
Memory Tip
Imagine a little bird (the character 低 has a bird-like appearance) that is always flying low to the ground, looking for food. This image connects the character's visual form to its meaning of being low or beneath.
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AI Study Notes for 低
Quick Contrast
低 (low) vs 矮 (short) — use 低 for general low status or altitude, while 矮 specifically refers to shortness in height.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a little bird (the character 低 has a bird-like appearance) that is always flying low to the ground, looking for food. This image connects the character's visual form to its meaning of being low or beneath.
Usage Notes
While 低 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, be cautious with its collocations, such as in 低头 (dī tóu), which means 'to lower one's head.' A common mistake is confusing 低 with 高 (gāo), which means 'high.' Pay attention to the tone as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 低 connects well with other terms describing physical and abstract heights and levels, such as 高 (gāo) and 中 (zhōng). Focus on using it in sentences related to comparisons or descriptions to solidify its meaning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of humility is essential, and 低 can symbolize modesty and the practice of lowering oneself in social situations to show respect.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 低 with 低下, mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我低头' (Wǒ dī tóu) correctly means 'I lower my head,' while using 低下 in the same context would be incorrect without the appropriate structure.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 低
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Grammar Patterns of 低
低 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
With a low-pitched rumbling noise, the propeller began to rotate.
6
12英寸左右的宽度绝对是你应考虑的最低值。
12 12 yīng cùn zuǒ yòu de kuān dù jué duì shì nǐ yīng kǎo lǜ de zuì dī。
About 12 inches wide is the absolute minimum you should consider.
7
股票经纪人降低了他们的利润预期之后，股价下跌了11便士至293便士。
gǔ piào jīng jì rén jiàng dī le tā mén de lì rùn yù qī zhī hòu， ， gǔ jià xià diē11 le 11 biàn293 shì zhì。
Shares slid 11p to 293p after brokers downgraded their profit estimates.
8
制造商之间的恶性价格战已将利润削减到了最低。
zhì zào shāng zhī jiān de è xìng jià gé zhàn yǐ jiāng lì rùn xiāo jiǎn dào le zuì dī。
A vicious price war between manufacturers has cut margins to the bone.
9
成本降低了30%到50%。
chéng běn jiàng dī le30% 30%50%。
Costs have been cut by 30 to 50 per cent.
10
一些公司已降低了宣传资料中标榜之词的调门。
yī xiē gōng sī yǐ jiàng dī le xuān chuán zī liào zhōng biāo bǎng zhī cí de tiáo mén。
Some companies have toned down the claims on their promotional literature.
Cultural Notes for 低
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the concept of '低' (low) is often associated with humility. Being lowly or modest is seen as a virtue, while boasting or being overly proud is discouraged.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of humility is essential, and 低 can symbolize modesty and the practice of lowering oneself in social situations to show respect.
📜Proverb
There is a saying in Chinese: '低调做人' which means 'to live humbly.' This reflects the value placed on modesty and low profile behavior in society.
Word Family of 低
Words Containing This Character20
低dīlow
降低jiàngdīto reduce
低于dīyúto be lower than
低调dīdiàolow pitch低調
低估dīgūto underestimate
低头dītóuto yield低頭
低下dīxiàlowly
低级low level低級
低价dījiàlow price低價
低落downcast
低声softly低聲
低温dīwēnlow temperature低溫
高低gāodīheight
贬低biǎndīto belittle貶低
低音bass
低谷dīgǔvalley
低迷dīmílow (spirits)
低收入low income
低俗vulgar
压低to lower (one's voice)壓低
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 低 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 低
Some synonyms for 低 include '矮' (ǎi), which specifically means 'short', and '低下' (dīxià), which means 'to lower'. These words can be used interchangeably in some contexts, but each has its nuances depending on the situation.
The pronunciation of 低 is dī, with a first tone. To pronounce it correctly, make sure to keep your voice high and level, as this tone is characterized by a steady pitch. Listening to native speakers can help you master the pronunciation.
低 (dī) means 'low' or 'beneath' in Chinese. It can also refer to the action of lowering something, such as incline one's head or let something droop. This character is commonly used in various contexts to describe height or position.
To use 低 in a sentence, you can say '这个房子很低' (Zhège fángzi hěn dī), which means 'This house is very low.' You can also use it in phrases like '低头' (dī tóu), meaning 'to lower one's head'. It’s important to understand the context to convey the right meaning.
You can say '这个房子的屋顶很低' (Zhège fángzi de wūdǐng hěn dī), which means 'The roof of this house is very low.'
Yes, 低下 (dīxià) means 'to lower' or 'to hang down' and emphasizes the action of lowering something, while 低 (dī) simply describes the state of being low.
Yes, 低 can be used in both spoken and written Chinese, but be mindful of the context to maintain appropriate formality.
