最低 (zuì dī) — lowest, minimum (superlative of 低)

Definition

Superlative form of 低 — 'the lowest / the minimum'. Used for prices, temperatures, scores, and other measurable things to mark the bottom of a range.

verb

lowestminimum (superlative of 低)

最低。
Zhè shì zhè jiā diàn lǐ zuì dī de jià gé.
This is the lowest price in this store.
。
Qì wēn jiàng dào le jīn nián de zuì dī diǎn.
The temperature dropped to the lowest point of the year.
最低。
Nǐ de fēn shù shì zuì dī de.
Your score is the lowest.

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.

‘最’ marks the highest degree and ‘低’ means low, so they denote the lowest level.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀miánroof

Sound part声符shēngfú

取

取qǔ最zuì

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

The shape pairs 取, which gives the sound, with a roof-like top from 宀; marks above were later added to separate the “most” meaning.

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

亻氐低

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rénman, person

Sound part声符shēngfú

氐

氐dī低dī

Same sound today

In 低, the left side 亻 is a person, and the right side 氐 gives the sound; the image is a person lowering or bowing themselves.

Appears in