降

• Pinyin: jiàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 降 = 阝(hill radical) + 夅 (phonetic) — the hill radical suggests going down from an elevated place

Meaning

To descend; to fall; to drop. Indicates downward movement or reduction in level.

Used for temperature drops, price decreases, landing of aircraft, and other situations where something goes down or decreases. Appears in many compounds: 降低 (to lower), 降价 (price cut), 降落 (to land), 降温 (to cool down), 下降 (to decline). The opposite is 升 (to rise).

Examples

1. 今天气温降了好几度，记得多穿衣服。 The temperature dropped several degrees today; remember to wear more clothes.
2. 雨从天上降下来，打湿了整条街。 Rain fell from the sky, wetting the entire street.
3. 最近物价降了一点，大家都很高兴。 Prices have dropped a little recently, and everyone is happy.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, economics, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 温度降了，出门要穿外套。(The temperature dropped; wear a jacket when going out.)
• 飞机正在慢慢地降。(The plane is slowly descending.)

Don't Say

• 他降了楼梯 (Don't use 降 for going down stairs — use 下; 降 implies falling or dropping from height)

Origin & History

Left component 阝(阜) means mound or hill; right component 夅 is phonetic. Original meaning related to descending from a high place.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal