低于

• Pinyin: dī yú
• Hanzi breakdown: 低 = 亻(person) + 氐 (phonetic); 于 = classical comparison particle

Meaning

To be lower than; below; less than. Used for comparing quantities, levels, or standards.

A formal comparison expression used for numbers, prices, temperatures, standards, and other measurable quantities. The opposite is 高于 (higher than). Common in data analysis, reports, and formal discussions.

Examples

1. 今天的气温低于零下五度，出门要多穿衣服。 Today's temperature is below minus five degrees — wear more clothes when going out.
2. 公司的利润低于预期，需要调整经营策略。 The company's profit is lower than expected and the business strategy needs adjustment.
3. 这款产品的价格低于市场平均水平。 This product's price is below the market average.

Usage Guide

Context: data, comparison, reports

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 温度低于零度。(The temperature is below zero.)
• 成本低于预算。(The cost is lower than the budget.)

Don't Say

• '低于'用于客观比较——描述人的身高时说'比...矮'更自然，而非'低于' (低于 is for objective comparisons — for describing height, 比...矮 is more natural than 低于)

Origin & History

Compound of 低 (low) + 于 (than, compared to), a formal comparison structure.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal