Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'put down' with 放下 (fàngxià)

    Actions & Events
    Direction & Movement

    Structure

    Subject + 放下 + Object

    Explanation

    放下 (fàngxià) means 'to put down' or 'to lay down,' combining 放 (to place) with the directional complement 下 (downward). It is used both literally and figuratively. For example, 放下武器 means 'to lay down weapons.'

    Examples

    • 请把手机放下,好好吃饭。

      Qǐng bǎ shǒujī fàng xià, hǎohǎo chīfàn.

      Please put down your phone and eat properly.

    • 她放下手里的书,走到窗前看外面的雨。

      Tā fàng xià shǒu lǐ de shū, zǒu dào chuāng qián kàn wàimiàn de yǔ.

      She put down the book in her hands and walked to the window to watch the rain outside.

    • 有些事情你要学会放下,别总想着。

      Yǒuxiē shìqíng nǐ yào xuéhuì fàng xià, bié zǒng xiǎngzhe.

      You need to learn to let go of some things and stop dwelling on them.

    Expressing 'put down' with 放下 (fàngxià) | Chinese Grammar