立下 (lì xià) — to set up, establish (rules, goals, commitments)

Definition

A verb-object phrase meaning to formally set or commit to something (a goal, rule, vow). The result is a firm, public commitment, not a casual plan.

verb
to set upestablish (rules, goals, commitments)

Examples

  • 立下。
    Tā men wèi gōng sī lì xià le yán gé de guī ju.
    They set up strict rules for the company.
  • 立下，。
    Tā lì xià le mù biāo, yào zài yì nián nèi xué huì zhōng wén.
    He set a goal to learn Chinese within one year.
  • 立下，。
    Liǎng rén lì xià le shì yán, yǒng bú bèi pàn duì fāng.
    The two made a vow never to betray each other.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

立lìset up
下xiàdown

“立” means set up and “下” adds downward completion, giving establish.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

立 pictures a person standing on the ground.

Open 立 →

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 →

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