下雪

• Pinyin: xià xuě
• Hanzi breakdown: 下 = indicator showing below a reference line; 雪 = 雨 (rain) + 彐 (hand), originally showing hands clearing snow

Meaning

To snow. Describes the weather phenomenon of snow falling.

A verb-object compound meaning 'to fall snow.' The 下 here means 'to fall' (as in precipitation). Can be separated: 下了一场雪 (it snowed once). Related: 下雨 (to rain), 下冰雹 (to hail).

Examples

1. 今天外面下雪了。 It's snowing outside today.
2. 北京冬天经常下雪。 It often snows in Beijing in winter.
3. 孩子们看到下雪很高兴。 The children are very happy to see the snow.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, seasons, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 明天可能会下雪。(It might snow tomorrow.)
• 昨天下了很大的雪。(It snowed heavily yesterday.)

Don't Say

• 说下雪水来表示雨夹雪 (Don't say 下雪水 for sleet — the correct term is 雨夹雪)

Origin & History

下 (xià, to fall/descend) + 雪 (xuě, snow). A verb-object compound meaning 'snow falls.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal