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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'under' or 'beneath' with 之下 (zhīxià)

    Degree & Intensity
    Location & Position

    Structure

    Noun + 之下

    Explanation

    之下 (zhīxià) is a literary or formal expression meaning "under" or "beneath." It is used after a noun to indicate something being below or under the influence of something, and is more formal than 下面.

    Examples

    • 在老师的指导之下,他的成绩提高了不少。

      Zài lǎoshī de zhǐdǎo zhī xià, tā de chéngjì tígāo le bù shǎo.

      Under the teacher's guidance, his grades improved quite a lot.

    • 大雪之下,整个城市变得安静极了。

      Dà xuě zhī xià, zhěnggè chéngshì biàn de ānjìng jí le.

      Under the heavy snow, the entire city became extremely quiet.

    • 在巨大的压力之下,他依然没有放弃。

      Zài jùdà de yālì zhī xià, tā yīrán méiyǒu fàngqì.

      Under enormous pressure, he still did not give up.

    Expressing 'under' or 'beneath' with 之下 (zhīxià) | Chinese Grammar