Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 底部 | dǐbù |
| 底端 | dǐduān |
| 底 | dǐ |
In Chinese, the word used for 'bottom' depends on whether you are referring to a physical base, a terminal end or using it within a fixed expression. The character 底 is frequently found in compounds or fixed expressions, such as referring to the bottom of a cup or the bottom of one's heart. 底部 suggests the lower part or base of something.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 底部 consists of 底 (bottom) and 部 (part/section).
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on the specific type of 'bottom' you are describing. 底部 is typically used to refer to the physical base or the lowest surface of an object, like a bottle or a container. 底端 emphasizes the extreme end or the terminal point of a long, thin object, such as a rope or a pole. The single character 底 is often used in compounds or fixed expressions to mean 'bottom'.
How do you pronounce it?
dǐbù
Did you know?
- The word 底 is structurally built from a phonetic part that may have originally depicted a person bowing down.
- The character 底 is also used in Chinese to ask about the nature or 'bottom line' of a situation, often appearing in questions about the extent of something.
- While 底部 refers to a physical base, the character 底 is frequently used in the phrase 'bottom line' to refer to the final result or minimum requirement in a negotiation.
Examples in context
- 他经常看杯底。He often sees the bottom of the glass.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 底 when referring to the bottom of a glass.Tatoeba #5551029 by verdastelo9604, translation #7795610 by sharris123
- 我打心底里感激你。I thank you from the bottom of my heart.This sentence shows how 底 is used in the idiomatic expression for the bottom of one's heart.Tatoeba #4759994 by ryanwoo, translation #268952 by CK
- 把书放在书柜底下。Put the book on the bottom of the bookshelf.This sentence demonstrates the use of 底 when describing the bottom of a bookshelf.Tatoeba #13999381 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #13997561 by mexicanhere
- 沉船的底部沉入了海底。The bottom of the sunken ship sank to the seabed.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Haoran and Xiaowen are looking at a fish tank.
- 浩然 Haoran鱼在水族箱的底部游。Yú zài shuǐzúxiāng de dǐbù yóu.The fish are swimming at the bottom of the aquarium.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那里的沙子看起来很干净。Nàlǐ de shāzi kànqǐlái hěn gānjìng.The sand there looks very clean.
- 浩然 Haoran底部还有一些小石头。Dǐbù hái yǒu yīxiē xiǎo shítou.There are also some small stones at the bottom.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen这些装饰让鱼缸更漂亮。Zhèxiē zhuāngshì ràng yúgāng gèng piàoliang.These decorations make the fish tank more beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bottom” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 底, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
