自上而下 (zì shàng ér xià) — from top to bottom; from above to below
Definition
A formal/literary idiom meaning 'from top to bottom' — literally 'from above go down'. Used in writing about policy, reform, or management hierarchies, not casual speech.
idiom
from top to bottomfrom above to below
Examples
- 自上而下。Zhè ge zhèng cè shì zì shàng ér xià tuī xíng de.This policy was implemented from the top down.
- 自上而下。Wǒ men xū yào zì shàng ér xià jìn xíng gǎi gé.We need to carry out reforms from the top down.
- 自上而下。Zhè zuò dà lóu zì shàng ér xià dōu zhuāng le jiān kòng.This building has surveillance cameras from top to bottom.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.