下 stroke order 下 chinese writing meaning 下 chinese character tattoos

I. The Core Meaning of the Character "下" (xià)

The character "下" is a direct and fundamental character. It is the antonym of "上" (shàng - up). Its primary meaning is "down," "below," or "to descend." Its simple pictographic form clearly conveys its meaning.

1. Literal & Directional Meanings:

  • Down; Below; Under:

    • 下面 (xiàmiàn) - Below; underneath.

    • 楼下 (lóuxià) - Downstairs.

  • To go down; to descend:

    • 下山 (xià shān) - To go down a mountain.

    • 下车 (xià chē) - To get off a vehicle.

2. Figurative & Abstract Meanings:
This is where the character gains nuanced depth.

  • Next; Latter (in sequence):

    • 下午 (xiàwǔ) - Afternoon ("later part of the day").

    • 下个月 (xià gè yuè) - Next month.

  • To Issue; To Deliver (from a higher to a lower level):

    • 下命令 (xià mìnglìng) - To issue an order.

  • Inferior; Low-Quality:

    • 下等 (xiàděng) - Low-grade; inferior.

  • To Finish; To Conclude:

    • 下课 (xiàkè) - Class is over.

3. Character Construction:
"下" is a simple ideograph. The long horizontal line represents a baseline or a standard, and the dot and short stroke below it indicate the position that is "under" or "below" that line. This makes its meaning visually intuitive.


II. "下" as a Tattoo: Meanings and Considerations

A tattoo of "下" is a highly nuanced and unconventional choice. Its power lies in its ability to symbolize humility, foundation, and the necessary counterparts to "up," but it carries significant risk of negative interpretation.

Potential Intended Meanings (from the wearer's perspective):

  1. A Philosophy of Humility and Groundedness: This is the most powerful positive meaning. In a culture that often strives for "上" (up), choosing "下" can be a profound statement about the importance of staying humble, grounded, and connected to one's roots. It symbolizes the solid foundation ("the down") from which all growth springs.

  2. Embracing All Parts of Life's Journey: Life has ups ("上") and downs ("下"). This tattoo can represent the acceptance and embrace of the "down" periods—the challenges, rest periods, and moments of introspection—as necessary and valuable parts of the whole journey.

  3. A Symbol of Potential and Foundation: In the Taoist philosophy of Yin and Yang, what is "down" and low is also the most receptive and full of potential, like a valley that can be filled with water. It can represent a state of readiness to receive and grow.

  4. A Nod to What Comes Next: Drawing from its meaning of "next," it could symbolize a focus on the future, on "what comes next," or the beginning of a new cycle after an ending.

⚠️ Important Considerations & Potential Drawbacks

"下" is a high-risk tattoo because its primary, literal meaning is overwhelmingly associated with negative concepts in a competitive society.

  1. Overwhelmingly Negative Connotations: The most immediate interpretations are "down," "below," "inferior," and "low-quality." In a world that values climbing "up," this can be perceived as a symbol of failure, low status, or a negative self-image.

  2. Social and Cultural Misunderstanding: This tattoo will likely cause confusion or concern. It can be seen as a public declaration of being "down and out" or having low self-esteem, rather than a philosophical choice.

  3. The Burden of Explanation: The wearer will almost certainly have to constantly explain the deep, positive personal meaning behind it, as the negative surface-level interpretation is too strong to be ignored.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The character "下" is generally not recommended for a tattoo. While the philosophical meanings of humility and groundedness are beautiful, the risk of severe and permanent negative misinterpretation is extremely high.

It could be a successful tattoo only if:

  • The wearer has an incredibly strong personal narrative that re-contextualizes the character entirely.

  • It is part of a larger design that clarifies its meaning (e.g., paired with "上" to represent the full cycle).

  • The wearer is fully prepared for and unconcerned by the potential for misunderstanding.

For a clearer and safer expression of "humility" or "foundation," consider these alternatives:

  • For "humility," use: 谦 (qiān - humble).

  • For "grounded" or "rooted," use: 根 (gēn - root) or 本 (běn - origin).

  • For "acceptance," consider: 受 (shòu - to receive, to accept).

In summary, "下" is a high-risk, low-reward tattoo. Its intended positive meaning is too subtle and easily drowned out by its dominant negative connotations. To express a philosophy of humility and acceptance, a character like 谦 (qiān) is a far more direct and respectable choice.

How to Write "下" (Stroke Order)

The stroke order for "下" is very simple.

  1. First: 一 (Horizontal) - The long top horizontal stroke (the baseline).

  2. Second: 丨 (Vertical) - The vertical stroke.

  3. Third: 丶 (Dot) - The dot at the bottom.

Writing Tip: The top horizontal stroke should be clearly longer than the vertical stroke, establishing a strong "horizon line." The vertical stroke connects to it, and the dot is placed decisively below, clearly establishing the "below" position.

下字意思【meaning】

下字基本字义解释【Basic meaning】

下xià（ㄒ一ㄚˋ）

⒈  位置在低处的，与“上”相对：下层。下款。

⒉  等级低的：下级。下品。下乘（佛教用语，一般借指文学艺术的平庸境界或下品）。下里巴人（泛指通俗的普及的文学艺术，常与“阳春白雪”对举）。

⒊  方面，方位：两下都同意。

⒋  次序或时间在后的：下卷。下次。下限。

⒌  由高处往低处，降落：下山。下车。下马。下达。

⒍  使降落：下半旗。下棋。

⒎  进入：下海。

⒏  投送：下书。

⒐  到规定时间结束日常工作或学习：下班。下课。

⒑  谦辞：在下。下官。

⒒  颁布：下令。

⒓  攻克：攻下。

⒔  卸掉：下货。把他的枪下了。

⒕  用，投入精力：下工夫。

⒖  退让：争执不下。

⒗  做出判断：下结论。

⒘  量词，指动作次数：打三下。

⒙  用在名词后边（①表示在里面，如“心下”、“言下”；②表示当某个时节，如“节下”、“年下”）。

⒚  用在动词后边（①表示关系，如“教导下”、“培养下”；②表示完成或结果，如“打下基础”；③与“来”、“去”连用表示趋向或继续，如“走下去”、“停下来”）。

⒛  少于：不下二百人。

 动物生产：鸡下蛋。

下的异体字【Variant】

  • 丅

下字汉英互译【Chinese-English Translation】

below、descend、down、give birth to、give in、go to、leave off、lower、next、take

相关字词【Related words】

上高停

造字法【Character Creation】

指事

下的英文翻译【English Translation】

under, underneath, below; down; inferior; bring down

下字组词【Word Grouping】

低下;下列;下湖;下级;柳下;下载;下九;下钥;下旅;身下;向下;下寿;松下;下令;下台;

下字取名的寓意【The meaning of the name】

下字取名寓指谦虚、不耻下问之意。中性字，用字频率为百分名字中使用了1112次，点击查看下字起名

下字取名的含义是什么【What does the name mean?】：

下字取名义指儒雅,高贵,多才之义;

下配什么字最好【What word is best?】

起名下配什么字最好【What word is best?】?下配什么字最好【What word is best?】男孩可配崇、来、好、守、道等字起名大气好听的。女孩下字配什么字好听可配媚、娥、俪、娉、蜜等字起名最好听。

与下字搭配的最佳男孩名字【Best boy names that go with this word】

  • xia yang下阳

  • xia yang下旸

  • xia yang下扬

  • xia yang下飏

  • xia yang下杨

  • xia yang下羊

与下字搭配的最佳女孩名字【Best girl names that go with this word】

下字起名没有名字，该字不适合或很少用来起女孩名

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