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Choosing Mnemonics

Pick the mnemonic story that sticks best for you by clicking its ☆ — there's no wrong choice, and you'll be able to write your own soon. Then press Continue.

xià = xi + a4
down / downwards / below / lower / later / next (week etc) / second (of two parts) / to decline / to go down / to arrive at (a decision, conclusion etc) / measure word to show the frequency of an action
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How to pronounce 下

MandarinBanana teaches pronunciation with the Marilyn Method: every Pinyin syllable is one initial plus one final, the initial becomes a person, an animal or a deity, and the final becomes a place in your memory palace — with the tone deciding which part of that place the scene happens in. Remember the little story below for each half and the whole syllable comes back with them.

= xi initial

Xi is for Xi Shi (西施), one of the renowned Four Beauties of ancient China.

By Matthias • updated 5 months ago
+ a4 final

In the ashram’s bathroom.

By Matthias • updated 5 months ago

下 character breakdown

Chinese characters are built out of smaller characters. Each component carries a mnemonic symbol - one concrete object that stands in for it - and a mnemonic story hands those objects to the person and the place that stand for the pronunciation. Learn a component once and every character that reuses it gets easier.

Component Translations
= y + Ø1
one / single / a (article) / as soon as / entire; whole; all; throughout / "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) / also pr. [yao1] for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit
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= bu + Ø3
(bound form) to divine / to forecast or estimate / (of a place to live etc) to choose
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see 蘿蔔|萝卜[luo2 bo5]
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Characters with 下 as component

xià = xi + a4
to frighten / to scare
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= h + e4
to scare / to intimidate / to threaten / (interjection showing disapproval) tut-tut / (interjection showing astonishment)
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shì = sh + Ø4
variant of 是[shi4] / (used in given names)
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Words with 下

show 757 more
(used after a verb) give it a go / to do (sth for a bit to give it a try) / one time / once / in a while / all of a sudden / all at once
to come down / (completed action marker) / (after verb of motion, indicates motion down and towards us, also fig.) / (indicates continuation from the past towards us) / to be harvested (of crops) / to be over (of a period of time) / to go among the masses (said of leaders)
to go down / to descend / to go on / to continue / (of a servant) to withdraw

Sentences with 下

Want to remember 下 for good?

Make it your learning target and MandarinBanana works out the shortest route to it: the two sounds its syllable is built from, then the components of the character itself, one short step at a time. No account needed to start.

xià

down / downwards / below / lower / later / next (week etc) / second (of two parts) / to decline / to go down / to arrive at (a decision, conclusion etc) / measure word to show the frequency of an action

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Prompt snippets

The ladder is a 7-step double-sided ladder constructed from brushed aluminum with serrated, non-slip treads and heavy-duty steel hinges. It features flared side rails, black rubberized feet, and reinforced cross-braces showing minor scuffs and metallic oxidation.