下降
xiàjiàng
The English phrase 'descend' is translated into Chinese as 下降 (xiàjiàng). Wiktionary also lists 降 and 下 (xià).
Meaning: to physically move or pass from a higher to a lower place or position (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 下降 | xiàjiàng |
| 降 | |
| 下 | xià |
下降 is used to describe the act of descending or dropping. It is commonly applied to abstract or measurable quantities, such as a drop in temperature, prices or specific levels.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 下降 is composed of the components 下, meaning 'down/below' and 降, meaning 'to drop/descend'.
Which one should you use?
While 下降 refers to a decrease in level or the physical descent of an object, the phrase 下来 is used specifically when a person is moving from a higher position to a lower one, such as when saying someone is coming down the stairs.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that a descent or a drop has already occurred, you can add the particle 了 after the verb to form 下降了.
How do you pronounce it?
xiàjiàng
Did you know?
- The word 下 may have origins in the Austroasiatic language family, potentially linking it to the Khmer word 'gra'ka' meaning 'to be low or debased'.
- The component 阝 in the character 降 is not just a random mark, but a radical representing a 'hill' or 'wall', visually signaling that the descent involves a slope.
- The character 下 is an ideogram that uses a simple horizontal line placed below a long arc to visually represent the direction 'down'.
Examples in context
- 市場銷售下降了Market sales have declined.
- 公司成本降低The company's costs have decreased.
- 股價下滑了Stock prices have fallen.
- 他的信心逐漸下降His confidence is gradually decreasing.
- 气温下降了。The temperature has dropped.
- 气温正在快速下降。Qìwēn zhèngzài kuàisù xiàjiàng.The temperature is descending rapidly.
- 飞机开始下降高度。Fēijī kāishǐ xiàjiàng gāodù.The plane began to descend in altitude.
- 水位在缓慢下降。Shuǐwèi zài huǎnmàn xiàjiàng.The water level is descending slowly.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are looking at a weather report on a screen.
- 佳怡 Jiayi气温是不是正在下降？Qìwēn shì bù shì zhèngzài xiàjiàng?Is the temperature descending?
- 浩然 Haoran是的，感觉变冷了。Shì de, gǎnjué biàn lěng le.Yes, I feel it getting colder.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，我们要多穿点。Hàorán, wǒmen yào duō chuān diǎn.Haoran, we should dress more warmly.
- 浩然 Haoran我也这么觉得。Wǒ yě zhème juéde.I think so too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “descend” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 下, 降, CC BY-SA 4.0.
