下 Stroke Order — How to Write 下
下 is written in 3 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 一, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
下 Radical and Character Components
下 is an ideographic compound. One stroke under another; compare 上 (above).
Radical: 一 + 2 more strokes
下 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- xià
Meanings of 下 in Chinese
1
xià下
below; lower part; under
我们住在楼房的下层。
We live on the lower floor of the building.
Referring to a lower rank, grade, or position within a hierarchy.
他虽然是我的下级，但在专业领域却非常出色。
Although he is my subordinate, he is exceptionally good in his professional field.
Refers to sides or parties involved in an action or agreement.
我们两下都觉得这个方案不错。
Both of us think this plan is good.
next; following (in order or time)
我们下次见面再说吧
Let's talk about it next time we meet.
To move from a higher position to a lower one; to descend or get off.
请在下一站下车。
Please get off at the next stop.
to lower; to play (a board game)
我们晚上经常下棋。
We often play chess in the evening.
to enter; to go into (e.g., water, a specific activity)
他决定下水游泳，享受夏日的清凉
He decided to go into the water to swim, enjoying the coolness of summer.
To send or deliver (e.g., a letter, an order, a notice).
顾客在线下下订单。
Customers place orders online.
To finish daily work or study at a scheduled time, similar to 'get off work' or 'finish class'.
我今天五点下班。
I get off work at 5 o'clock today.
A humble term used by oneself, similar to 'I' or 'your humble servant', often appearing in expressions like '在下' (I, your humble self) or '下官' (your humble official).
在下姓张，很高兴认识您。
My surname is Zhang, it's a pleasure to meet you.
To issue or give an order; to command.
医生下令，病人必须卧床休息。
The doctor ordered that the patient must rest in bed.
To capture, conquer, or secure (an objective, a place, or a difficulty).
经过团队的努力，我们终于拿下了这个大项目。
After the team's efforts, we finally secured this big project.
To unload; to take off or remove something from a person or place.
把他的手铐下了。
Take off his handcuffs.
To apply or put in effort, often referring to time or resources, as in 'to put in effort' (下工夫).
如果想学好一门语言，就得下功夫练习。
If you want to learn a language well, you have to put in effort to practice.
To yield or back down in a dispute, making it impossible to resolve the situation.
他们就新项目的预算问题僵持不下，会议迟迟没有进展。
They are in a stalemate over the budget for the new project, and the meeting is making no progress.
To make a judgment or a decision; to draw a conclusion.
他经过深思熟虑，终于下了一个重要的决定。
After careful consideration, he finally made an important decision.
Measure word for the number of times an action occurs; 'times', 'strokes'.
小狗摇了几下尾巴。
The puppy wagged its tail a few times.
Used after a noun to indicate 'within' or 'underneath' (e.g., '心下' meaning 'in one's heart') or 'during' a particular time/occasion (e.g., '节下' meaning 'during the festival').
他心下清楚，这事不好办。
He knew clearly in his heart that this matter would be difficult to handle.
Used after a verb to indicate the completion or result of an action.
经过努力，他们为未来的发展打下了坚实的基础。
After much effort, they laid a solid foundation for future development.
Not less than; at least.
他学习了不下三个小时。
He studied for at least three hours.
To lay (eggs) or give birth (for animals).
母鸡每天都会下蛋。
Hens lay eggs every day.
Common Words and Phrases with 下
1
2
3
The lower hem of a garment.
这条裙子的下摆设计得很独特，走路时会随风飘动。
The hem of this skirt is uniquely designed, flowing with the wind when walking.
4
5
the second half of a game or match
足球比赛的下半场通常更加激烈。
The second half of a soccer match is usually more intense.
6
To fly a flag at half-mast; a gesture of national mourning where a flag is lowered to about one-third of the way down from the top of the flagpole.
为了哀悼在不幸事故中遇难的人们，公司决定下半旗致哀
To mourn those who perished in the unfortunate accident, the company decided to fly its flag at half-mast.
7
afternoon
下半晌，太阳慢慢西沉，晚霞染红了半边天。
In the late afternoon, the sun slowly set in the west, and the sunset glow dyed half the sky red.
8
the time from midnight until dawn
他下半夜还在加班，直到天快亮才回家。
He was still working overtime in the latter half of the night, not returning home until nearly dawn.
9
Next generation, future generations, or a humble person.
他希望下辈能继续传承家族手艺。
He hopes the next generation can continue to pass on the family's traditional craft.
10
11
to make an investment; to put in capital
为了让这家小店的生意红火起来，老板下足了本儿，重新装修并进了不少新货
To make the business of this small shop flourish, the owner invested heavily, redecorating and stocking up on many new products.
12
to put pen to paper; to start writing
他思考了很久，才敢下笔写下第一个字。
He thought for a long time before daring to put pen to paper and write the first word.
13
A character or symbol written slightly below and often smaller than the main text, as in H
₂O.
在化学式H₂O中，数字2就是一个下标，表示一个水分子中有两个氢原子。
In the chemical formula H₂O, the number 2 is a subscript, indicating that there are two hydrogen atoms in one water molecule.
14
The lower or bottom part, often referring to the underpart or ventral side of an animal or bird.
这只鸟的下部羽毛呈现出美丽的蓝色。
The lower part of this bird's feathers is a beautiful blue.
More words with 下
- bù部xià下subordinate, follower
- qí旗xià下under, subsidiary
- bēi卑xià下low; humble; degrading
- diàn殿xià下Your Highness
- shǔ属xià下Subordinate, Retainer
- tǎng淌xià下to trickle down; to shed (tears)
- xī膝xià下children, one's children
- zú足xià下Your Excellency, you (respectful address)
- pā趴xià下Lie down, Get down
- shèng剩xià下to be left over; to remain
- bì陛xià下Your Majesty; His (Her) Majesty
- huī麾xià下under one's command, subordinates
- liǔ柳xià下huì惠Liuxia Hui
- sī私dǐ底xià下In private or secretly; not openly.
- yǎn眼dǐ底xià下Currently, Right now
- fáng房xià下Under the house, Below the building
- gé阁xià下Your Excellency, Excellency
- guì跪xià下Kneel, Kneel down
- luō捋xià下Smooth down, Stroke down
- quán泉xià下the underworld; Hades
Idioms with 下
- xià下bǎn坂zǒu走wán丸roll effortlessly down a slope
- xià下bǐ笔chéng成wén文write quickly and skillfully
- xià下bǐ笔chéng成zhāng章compose an article swiftly and effortlessly
- xià下bǐ笔qiān千yán言write with great speed and fluency
- xià下bù不lái来tái台unable to save face in public
- xià下bu不liǎo了tái台unable to extricate oneself from an embarrassing situation
- xià下bù不wéi为lì例not to be repeated
- xià下lǐ里bā巴rén人popular unsophisticated literature or art
- xià下luò落bù不míng明whereabouts unknown
- xià下mǎ马kàn看huā花stop and investigate thoroughly
- xià下mǎ马zuò作wēi威assert authority immediately
- xià下zhú逐kè客lìng令ask an unwelcome guest to leave
Recommended tools
Stroke Order Animator
Turn a Chinese character or sentence into a GIF or MP4
Open the tool →
Character Highlight Animator
Choose character parts and animate their colors, together or in stroke order
Open the tool →
Bingo Cards
Picture and word Bingo for your class
Open the tool →
Writing Worksheets
Printable tracing sheets with a QR learning companion
Open the tool →Questions about 下
What does 下 mean in Chinese?
下 (xià) means “below” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 下?
下 is pronounced xià in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 下 have?
下 has 3 strokes.
How do you write 下?
下 is written in 3 strokes, starting from the radical 一. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 下?
The radical of 下 is 一, and 下 is an ideographic compound.
