下来

• Pinyin: xià lái
• Hanzi breakdown: 下 = pictograph showing a line below a reference point, meaning down; 来 = simplified form of 來, meaning to come

Meaning

To come down. Used literally for downward movement toward the speaker, or as a complement after verbs to indicate completion, settling, or continuation of a state.

As a directional complement, 下来 indicates movement from higher to lower toward the speaker. As a resultative complement, it can mean 'to settle down' (安静下来), 'to be preserved' (保存下来), or 'to slow down' (慢下来). It contrasts with 下去 which indicates movement away from the speaker or continuation into the future.

Examples

1. 请你从楼上下来，有人找你。 Please come downstairs, someone is looking for you.
2. 天气慢慢凉快下来了。 The weather has gradually cooled down.
3. 这个传统一直保留下来了。 This tradition has been preserved all along.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 她从车上下来了。(She got down from the car.)
• 会议室安静下来了。(The meeting room quietened down.)

Don't Say

• 你先下来楼。(Don't split 下来 with an object in between — say 你先从楼上下来 or 你先下楼来.)

Origin & History

下 means 'down' and 来 means 'to come'. Together they indicate downward movement toward the speaker, later extended to express resultative and aspectual meanings.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal