底

• Pinyin: dǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 底 = 广 (shelter, roof) + 氐 (low, phonetic component)

Meaning

Bottom; base; end. The lowest part of something, or the underlying foundation.

Refers to the bottom of a container, body of water, page, or structure. Also used in time expressions like 年底 (end of the year) and 月底 (end of the month). Appears in many compounds: 到底 (after all, in the end), 底下 (underneath), 彻底 (thorough). Can also mean background or foundation, as in 底子 (foundation/basis).

Examples

1. 杯子的底上有一个小裂缝，水会慢慢漏出来。 There is a small crack on the bottom of the cup, so water slowly leaks out.
2. 年底公司会给每个员工发奖金。 At the end of the year, the company gives every employee a bonus.
3. 河水很清，能看到河底的石头。 The river water is very clear — you can see the stones at the bottom.

Usage Guide

Context: description, time, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 箱子底放着几本旧书。(There are a few old books at the bottom of the box.)
• 月底之前请把报告交给我。(Please submit the report to me before the end of the month.)

Don't Say

• 混淆底和低 (Don't confuse 底 (bottom, noun) with 低 (low, adjective) — 底 is a physical location or time endpoint, while 低 describes level or height)

Origin & History

Originally depicted the base or foundation of a building, from 广 (shelter/roof) and 氐 (bottom, phonetic). Represents the lowest supporting part of a structure.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal