低 (dī) - low & to lower

低Tone 1

dī ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 亻

橙丁

低 · dī

low;

to lower;

to hang down;

cheap;

inferior;

humble

lowto lowerto hang down

Usage highlights

lowlow pricelow temperaturelow headlow voicelow quality

Synonyms

  • 矮— short (in height)
  • 贱— cheap, lowly
  • 下— down, below

Antonyms

  • 高— high, tall
  • 昂— high, elevated
  • 贵— expensive, noble

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The price is very low (价格很低).
  • Please lower your voice (请低声说话).
  • He bowed his head (他低下了头).
  • This is a low-grade product (这是低档产品).

Collocations

  • low(低)
  • low price(低价)
  • low temperature(低温)
  • low head(低头)
  • low voice(低声)
  • low quality(低质量)

Idioms

  • High and low, uneven(高低不平)
  • To lower one's head and admit defeat(低头认输)
  • High and low, good and bad(高低贵贱)
  • To lower one's head in submission(俯首低眉)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Represents humility and modesty in Confucian culture when referring to lowering one's head or status.
  • In economic contexts, carries connotations of affordability but also potential inferiority.
  • Used in contrast with 高 (high) to describe various states and qualities in Chinese philosophy.

FAQ