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JLPT N53画 · 3 strokesradical 一grade 1freq #102

below, down, beneath, lower

On'yomi (音読み)

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • した
  • しも
  • さ.がる
  • さ.げる
  • くだ.る
  • くだ.さる

Mnemonic

Imagine a person holding onto a single line, desperately trying to climb up, while another person stands below, patiently waiting as they look down to help.

About this kanji

The kanji 下 means 'below' or 'down' and is used in both nouns and verbs. It can describe a position that is lower or something that is moving downwards. For example, 下手 (へた) means 'unskillful,' referring to someone who is not good at something. 下着 (したぎ) means 'underwear,' which is clothing worn beneath outer garments. The verb 下る (くだる) means 'to go down,' often used when talking about descending a mountain or stairs. A useful note about this kanji is that it can express physical positions as well as abstract concepts, like being less skillful.

Built from

Example sentences

  • 犬が下を見ています。

    The dog is looking down.

Meanings across languages

English
below, down, beneath, lower
Tiếng Việt
dưới, thấp, hạ
日本語
下, 下に, 下がる, 下げる
한국어
아래
中文
下面
id
bawah
th
ด้านล่าง
es
abajo
fr
en bas
de
unten
pt
abaixo

Common compounds

  • 下手へたunskillful, clumsy
  • 下着したぎunderwear
  • 下るくだるto go down, to descend

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