下午

• Pinyin: xià wǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 下 = lower/later; 午 = noon (originally a pictograph of a pestle, later borrowed for the noon hour)

Meaning

Afternoon. The period of time from noon until evening.

A basic time word used in everyday conversation and scheduling. Placed before the clock time in Chinese: 下午两点 (2 PM). The period roughly covers from noon to around 6 PM. Pairs with 上午 (morning) and 晚上 (evening).

Examples

1. 下午我要去商店买东西。 I'm going to the store to buy things this afternoon.
2. 今天下午三点有课。 There is a class at 3 PM today.
3. 他下午在家休息。 He's resting at home in the afternoon.

Usage Guide

Context: time, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 下午两点见。(See you at 2 PM.)
• 你下午有空吗？(Are you free this afternoon?)

Don't Say

• 在两点下午。(Wrong word order — say 下午两点; the time period comes before the clock time in Chinese)

Origin & History

A compound of 下 (lower/later) and 午 (noon/midday). Literally means 'after noon,' referring to the second half of the day.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal