Translation and Meaning of: 下 - shita

The Japanese word 下[した] is a fundamental term for anyone learning the language. Its basic meaning is "beneath" or "below," but its usage goes far beyond simple spatial location. In this article, we will explore everything from the origin and writing of the kanji to practical examples of how it appears in everyday Japanese. If you want to understand how this word functions in sentences or even discover cultural curiosities related to it, keep reading!

Meaning and usage of 下[した]

下[した] is a versatile word that can be used to indicate both physical position and hierarchy. In spatial contexts, it describes something that is below another object, as in "本は机の下にある" (the book is under the table). In social situations, it can refer to subordinates or something of lesser importance, such as in "下の名前" (first name).

Additionally, it appears in various compound expressions, such as 地下[ちか] (underground) and 下着[したぎ] (underwear). Its simplicity and frequency in daily life make it essential for those starting to learn Japanese. It is worth paying attention to how the Japanese use it in different contexts.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 下 is made up of three strokes and has an interesting history. It derives from a pictogram that represented something being placed below a horizontal line. This visual concept makes it easier to remember, as the upper stroke symbolizes a surface, while the lower strokes indicate what is underneath.

Besides the reading した, this kanji can also be read as しも (in words like 下半身[かはんしん] - lower body) or げ (as in 下手[へた] - clumsy). Knowing these variations helps to better understand texts and conversations in Japanese, especially in formal or literary contexts.

Cultural curiosities and memorization tips

In Japan, the word 下 is associated with concepts of hierarchy and respect. In companies and schools, for example, it is common to hear terms like 部下[ぶか] (subordinate), emphasizing the importance of social status. This cultural aspect causes the word to go beyond its physical meaning, incorporating traditional Japanese values.

To memorize 下[した], a useful tip is to associate it with everyday objects that are always below something, like shoes (which are under the body) or tree roots (which are beneath the ground). Creating simple sentences like "猫は椅子の下にいます" (the cat is under the chair) also helps to reinforce the vocabulary in a practical way.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 下部 (kabu) - Bottom part
• 下方 (ka hō) - Direction down
• 下側 (shitagawa) - Bottom side
• 下位 (kai) - Lower level
• 下面 (ka men) - Face down
• 下方向 (ka hōkō) - Bottom direction
• 下降 (kakō) - Descent
• 下回る (shita mawaru) - Pass under
• 下がる (sagaru) - Descend, go lower
• 下ろす (orosu) - Download, remove
• 下手 (heta) - Inept, clumsy
• 下痢 (geri) - Diarrhea
• 下書き (shitagaki) - Draft
• 下地 (shita-ji) - Bottom base
• 下水道 (gesuido) - Sewage network
• 下町 (shitamachi) - Lower neighborhood (traditional)
• 下見 (shita mi) - Preliminary visit
• 下着 (shitagi) - Underwear
• 下半身 (shita han shin) - Lower body
• 下半分 (shita han bun) - Lower half
• 下半期 (shita hanki) - Second half of the year
• 下半身麻痺 (shita han shin mahi) - Paralysis of the lower body
• 下半身不随 (shita han shin fuzui) - Inability of the lower body
• 下半身不全 (shita han shin fugen) - Partial disability of the lower body

下

Romaji: shita
Kana: した
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: below; below; underneath

Meaning in English: under;below;beneath

Definition: To be located under something or a place.

Example Sentences - (下) shita

See below some example sentences:

彼は高いビルから街を見下ろしていた。

Kare wa takai biru kara machi o mioroshite ita

He was looking at the city on top of a high building.

He looked at the city of a high building.

• 彼 (kare) - he (personal pronoun)
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 高い (takai) - tall (adjective)
• ビル (biru) - building (noun)
• から (kara) - of, from (particle)
• 街 (machi) - city ​​(noun)
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 見下ろしていた (mioroshiteita) - was looking down (verb in past progressive tense)

彼女の言葉にはいつも下心がある。

Kanojo no kotoba ni wa itsumo shitagokoro ga aru

Your words always have a heart.

• 彼女 - she
• の - of
• 言葉 - words
• には - have
• いつも - always
• 下心 - ulterior motives
• が - there are
• ある - Gifts

株価が下がる。

Kabuka ga sagaru

The stock price falls.

Drop price drops.

• 株価 - stock price
• が - subject particle
• 下がる - fall, decrease

炭鉱は地下深くにあります。

Chouko wa chika fukaku ni arimasu

The coal mine is deep underground.

• 炭鉱 - coal mine
• は - Topic particle
• 地下 - basement
• 深く - deeply
• に - Location particle
• あります - is located

物価を引き下げる必要がある。

Bukka wo hikisageru hitsuyou ga aru

It is necessary to reduce prices.

• 物価 - prices of goods and services
• を - object particle
• 引き下げる - reduce, lower
• 必要 - necessary
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist, have

私の部下はとても優秀です。

Watashi no buka wa totemo yuushuu desu

My subordinates are very good.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English
• 部下 (buka) - "Subordinate" is a noun that means "subordinate".
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 優秀 (yuushuu) - adjective that means "excellent"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality

私は鍵を鞄にぶら下げました。

Watashi wa kagi wo kaban ni burasagerimashita

I put the key in my bag.

I put the key in my bag.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 鍵 (kagi) - noun that means "key"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 鞄 (kaban) - noun that means "backpack" or "bag"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the destination or location of the object
• ぶら下げました (burasagemashita) - verb that means "to hang" or "to suspend"

私は絵を描くのが下手です。

Watashi wa e o kaku no ga heta desu

I'm bad at drawing.

I'm not good at drawing.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "me"
• 絵 - noun "drawing, painting"
• を - direct object particle, indicates that "drawing" is the direct object of the action
• 描く - verb "to draw, to paint"
• のが - particle that indicates a nominal clause, in this case "the fact that"
• 下手 - adjective "bad, inexperienced"
• です - verb "to be", indicates that the sentence is in the present and is affirmative or formal

私は山を下りる。

Watashi wa yama wo oriru

I'm going down the mountain.

I go down the mountain.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 山 - noun that means "mountain"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 下りる - verb meaning "to go down"

私たちは推測に基づいて決定を下す必要があります。

Watashitachi wa suisoku ni motozuite kettei o kudasai hitsuyō ga arimasu

We need to make decisions based on assumptions.

We need to make a decision based on hunch.

• 私たちは - We
• 推測に基づいて - based on assumptions
• 決定を下す - making a decision
• 必要があります - Is required