About

The word "下手" is formed by combining the character "下", meaning "down" or "below", with "手", meaning "hand", where "下" functions as a directional verb modifier acting upon the object "手", literally conveying "to put one's hand down" and semantically extending to denote taking action or beginning a task through this concrete physical metaphor.

Example Sentences Hide

他下手很重。

Tā xiàshǒu hěn zhòng.

He hits very hard.

我们要早点下手。

Wǒmen yào zǎodiǎn xiàshǒu.

We need to take action early.

从这个问题下手吧。

Cóng zhège wèntí xiàshǒu ba.

Let's start with this problem.

他下手偷东西时被抓住了。

Tā xiàshǒu tōu dōngxi shí bèi zhuāzhù le.

He was caught in the act of stealing.

在决定下手之前，他考虑了很长时间。

Zài juédìng xiàshǒu zhīqián, tā kǎolǜle hěn cháng shíjiān.

Before deciding to take action, he thought for a long time.

Word Definition - 下手

xià shǒu start; put one's hand to; take action; the seat to the right of the main guest

Individual Character Details

下 xià
手 shǒu