地下

• Pinyin: dì xià
• Hanzi breakdown: 地 = 土 (earth) + 也 (phonetic component); 下 = pictograph indicating the area below

Meaning

Underground; basement. The space beneath the ground surface or a lower level of a building.

Used for physical underground locations such as basements, subway systems, and underground car parks. Also appears in figurative expressions like 地下工作 (underground/secret work). In cities, 地下 commonly refers to basement levels in buildings and shopping areas.

Examples

1. 这个商场的地下有很多好吃的餐厅。 There are many good restaurants in the basement of this shopping mall.
2. 我们把车停在地下停车场吧。 Let's park the car in the underground car park.
3. 北京的地下通道连接着好几个地铁站。 Beijing's underground passages connect several metro stations.

Usage Guide

Context: location, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 地下一层是停车场。(The basement level is the car park.)
• 地下水在很多农村地区是重要的水源。(Groundwater is an important water source in many rural areas.)

Don't Say

• 把'地下'和'下面'混用 (Don't confuse 地下 with 下面 — 地下 means underground or basement, while 下面 means 'below' or 'underneath' in general)

Origin & History

A straightforward compound of 地 (earth, ground) and 下 (below, under), literally meaning 'below the ground.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal