Definition
下游 (xiàyóu) means 'lower reaches of a river' or 'downstream', and figuratively refers to a lower position in a hierarchy or supply chain. Unlike 上游 (shàngyóu, upper reaches / leading position), 下游 emphasizes being later in a process or subordinate in rank. Compared to 下级 (xiàjí, subordinate person/unit), 下游 is broader, often describing a stage or position rather than a person.
noun
lower reaches of a riverdownstream(figurative) lower levellower echelondownstream (in a chain or process)
Examples
- 下游。Zhè tiáo hé de xià yóu shuǐliú bǐjiào pínghuǎn.The lower reaches of this river have a relatively gentle current.
- 下游，。Wǒmen gōngsī chǔyú chǎnyè liàn de xià yóu, lìrùn bù gāo.Our company is at the downstream end of the industry chain, so profits are low.
- 下游。Zhège juédìng xūyào xià yóu bùmén pèihé zhíxíng.This decision requires cooperation from lower-level departments to implement.
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