Meaning
下来 is a directional complement that indicates downward movement toward the speaker or a shift from a higher to lower position. It can be used literally for physical descent or figuratively to express continuation of an action, settling down, or retention of something.
Usage
Native speakers attach 下来 after verbs to show direction or completion. It appears in physical contexts like 走下来 (walk down), emotional contexts like 冷静下来 (calm down), and temporal contexts meaning 'continuing from then on' or 'to establish/settle.' Very common in everyday speech and essential for natural-sounding Mandarin.
Examples
- 01请你从楼上走下来。.Please walk down from upstairs.
- 02他慢慢冷静下来了。.He gradually calmed down.
Characters
Common collocations
- 坐下来to sit down
- 冷静下来to calm down
- 停下来to stop (and remain)
- 记下来to write down, to record
Antonyms
Origin
Compound of 下 (down) and 来 (come), literally meaning 'come down.' The combination creates a directional complement showing movement downward in the direction of the speaker or reference point.