Definition
下士 is primarily a military rank corresponding to corporal (army) or petty officer third class (navy). Historically and in literary Chinese, it also meant 'a fool' or 'an ordinary person' — a dismissive term for someone of low status or intelligence. When used in modern contexts, it almost always refers to the rank; the archaic senses appear only in classical texts or historical novels.
n.
(military) corporalpetty officer third class(written, archaic) a foolan ordinary person of low status
Examples
- 下士。Tā dāng le liǎng nián de xià shì cái shēng wéi zhōngshì.He served as a corporal for two years before being promoted to sergeant.
- ，下士。Zài gǔdài wénxiàn zhōng, xià shì cháng yòng lái zhǐ dài yúbèn zhī rén.In ancient texts, xiàshì was often used to refer to foolish people.
- 下士。Bùduì lǐ de xià shì fùzé dàilǐng yí ge xiǎoduì.The corporal in the army is responsible for leading a squad.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.