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下属 (xià shǔ) — subordinate, underling

Definition

下属 refers specifically to people working under you in an organization — contrast with 上级 ('higher-ups') and 下级, which is broader and can also refer to lower-level units, not just individuals.

noun
subordinateunderling
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 下属，。
    Tā de xià shǔ gōng zuò fēi cháng nǔ lì, jīng cháng jiā bān dào hěn wǎn.
    His subordinate works very hard and often works late.
  • 下属。
    Jīng lǐ yāo qiú měi wèi xià shǔ àn shí wán chéng rèn wu.
    The manager requires each subordinate to complete tasks on time.
  • 下属。
    Zhè xiē xià shǔ duì gōng sī de gòng xiàn hěn dà.
    These subordinates have made great contributions to the company.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

下xiàlower
属shǔsubordinate

下 for lower and 属 for subordinate combine to mean someone in a lower position.

Characters in this word

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 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 屬; 属 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
㞑Written in full as尾wěitail
Sound part声符shēngfú
蜀
蜀shǔ屬shǔ
Same sound today

The traditional form 屬 pairs 㞑 (tail) with 蜀 as a sound part; the simplified 属 is a shorthand.

Open 属 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Social Roles & Status

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