Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 坐下 | zuòxià |
| 坐 | zuò |
| 坐下來 / 坐下来 | zuòxiàlái |
The phrase is used to describe the action of assuming a sitting position from a standing position. While 坐下 is a direct way to express this, in polite social situations, it is much more common to use the polite form 请坐 (please sit) rather than the more command-like 坐下.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 坐下 consists of 坐 (zuò), meaning 'to sit' and 下 (xià), meaning 'down'.
Which one should you use?
The single character 坐 (zuò) functions as the verb 'to sit' but lacks the directional complement 'down' found in 坐下. The form 坐下来 (zuòxiàlái) emphasizes the transition from standing to sitting and is often used when inviting someone to sit and stay, whereas 坐下 focuses more on the completion of the downward movement.
How does it change in a sentence?
The character 坐 (zuò) can be used as a standalone verb meaning 'to sit', but it does not include the directional complement 'down' that is present in 坐下.
How do you pronounce it?
zuòxià
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the word 坐 is also used to describe taking a bus, train or plane. For example, 'to take a taxi' is expressed as 坐出租车.
- The character 坐 is an ideogram composed of the characters for 'stay' and 'ground'. Together they visually represent a person staying on the earth.
- In traditional Chinese culture, where one sits is as important as the act of sitting. The 'seat of honor' is typically the one furthest from the door and facing it.
Examples in context
- 汤姆想坐下。Tom wants to sit down.This sentence shows a desire to sit down using 坐下.Tatoeba #5698022 by verdastelo9604, translation #5009644 by CK
- 你得坐下来。You have to sit down.This sentence expresses an obligation to sit down using 坐下.Tatoeba #10048850 by GlossaMatik, translation #3222952 by CK
- 她強迫他坐下。She forced him to sit down.This sentence describes someone being forced to sit down using 坐下.Tatoeba #13108753 by LeviHighway, translation #887120 by CK
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yuting and Haoran are meeting at a cafe.
- 雨婷 Yuting快进来，请坐下。Kuài jìnlái, qǐng zuòxià.Come in quickly, please sit down.
- 浩然 Haoran谢谢，这里很安静。Xièxie, zhèlǐ hěn ānjìng.Thank you, it's very quiet here.
- 雨婷 Yuting你先坐下，我帮你点餐。Nǐ xiān zuòxià, wǒ bāng nǐ diǎncān.You sit down first, I'll help you order.
- 浩然 Haoran好，麻烦你了。Hǎo, máfan nǐ le.Okay, thanks for the trouble.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sit down” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 坐, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
