卑下 (bēi xià) — base, low, menial (of social status, character, or conduct)

Definition

Literary, written adjective meaning 'base, low' in moral or social status — much stronger and more formal than 低贱 or 卑微, used mainly in classical or formal writing.

adjective
baselowmenial (of social status, character, or conduct)

Examples

  • 卑下。
    Tā nà zhǒng bēi xià de xíng wéi ràng rén kàn bù qǐ.
    That kind of base behavior makes people look down on him.
  • ，卑下。
    Zài gǔ dài, mǒu xiē zhí yè bèi shì wéi bēi xià de.
    In ancient times, certain occupations were considered menial.
  • 卑下。
    Tā cóng bù yīn wèi chū shēn bēi xià ér zì bēi.
    He never feels inferior because of his humble origins.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

卑bēilowly
下xiàlow

卑下 conveys lowliness through 卑 and 下, both meaning low.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

卑 puts 甲 (fan) with 𠂇 (hand), drawing a hand holding a fan, showing a servant.

Open 卑 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

下 is drawn as a short horizontal line below a long curved line.

Open 下 →

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