低

• Pinyin: dī
• Hanzi breakdown: 低 = 亻 (person) + 氐 (base, bottom; phonetic)

Meaning

Low. Describes something below average in height, level, volume, temperature, or price.

The opposite of 高 (high). Can describe physical height, sound volume, temperature, price, quality, or abstract levels. Also used as a verb meaning 'to lower' as in 低头 (to lower one's head).

Examples

1. 今天的气温很低，只有三度。 Today's temperature is very low — only three degrees.
2. 请把音乐的声音调低一点。 Please turn the music down a bit.
3. 这家店的价格比较低。 The prices at this shop are quite low.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, prices, volume, descriptions

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 今天温度很低，多穿点衣服。(The temperature is very low today — wear more clothes.)
• 这个产品的价格很低。(This product's price is very low.)

Don't Say

• 不要说'他很低'来形容身高矮 — for describing a short person, use 矮 (ǎi), not 低. 低 is for levels, temperatures, and prices, not human height.

Origin & History

An ancient character combining the person radical 亻 with 氐 (base, bottom), conveying the idea of something that is low or below.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal