下
Character learning workspace

xià · below, underneath

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 1HSK 3.0 · Level 1Frequency #70
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 下

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Step-by-step explorer

See how 下 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Writing notes

Shape and proportion

3Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Top-bottomCharacter structure

Keep the upper section balanced above the lower section.

一Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 下 writing sheet

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 下

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

xiàWords pronounced xià
xiaWords pronounced xia
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 下 sits in each complete thought.

Bú xià yǔ de huà, wǒ men chū qù ba.不下雨的话,我们出去吧。

If it doesn't rain, let's go out.

Source: Tatoeba #910533 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zài zhè děng yí xià, děng wǒ huí lái.在这等一下,等我回来。

Wait a while, I'll be right back.

Source: Tatoeba #7781686 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ gěi wǒ xià lái!你给我下来!

Come down here!

Source: Tatoeba #1766123 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ bú huì ràng nǐ tiào xià qù de.我不会让你跳下去的。

I won't let you jump down.

Source: Tatoeba #13881405 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Bú yào liú xià wǒ yí gè rén!不要留下我一个人!

Don't leave me by myself!

Source: Tatoeba #2052237 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā zài tā de bèi shàng chuō le yí xià.她在他的背上戳了一下。

She stabbed him in the back.

Source: Tatoeba #4760174 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 下 in context

  1. Say xià, then recall the core meaning: below, underneath.
  2. Write all 3 strokes while keeping the top-bottom balanced.
  3. Use it in 下雨 (xià yǔ), meaning “to rain”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 下 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.