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.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

假借jiǎjièLater borrowed for its sound alone — the picture has nothing to do with today’s meaning.

自 originally drew a nose. It was borrowed purely for its sound to write 自, so the picture and the meaning are unrelated.

Open 自 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

上 is drawn as a short horizontal line placed above a longer arc, marking a position above that arc.

Open 上 →

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

The shape of 而 is a picture of a beard.

Open 而 →

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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