写下 (xiě xià) — to write down, to put in writing | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A resultative verb: 'write down' — combines 写 (write) with 下 (the directional indicating the writing reaches the page). Use for committing spoken thoughts or dictation to paper.

verb

to write downto put in writing

Examples

写下。
Qǐng bǎ nǐ de xiǎng fǎ xiě xià.
Please write down your thoughts.
，。
Zhè ge běn zi tài xiǎo, wǒ xiě bú xià nà me duō nèi róng.
This notebook is too small; I can't write down that much content.
写下。
Tā zài huì yì shàng xùn sù xiě xià le měi yí gè yào diǎn.
He quickly wrote down every key point at the meeting.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

写 means write and 下 indicates putting down, giving write down.

Characters in this word

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 寫; 写 is its simplified writing.

宀舄寫

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀mián

Sound part声符shēngfú

舄

舄xì寫xiě

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 寫 combines 宀 with 舄 for the sound; this note is about 寫, not the simplified 写.

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.

Appears in

Reading & Writing

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