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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'snowing' with 下雪 (xià xuě)

    Actions & Events
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    下 + 雪 / 下 + 大/小 + 雪

    Explanation

    The separable verb 下雪 (xià xuě) means 'to snow.' The verb 下 means 'to fall' and 雪 means 'snow,' so the phrase literally means 'snow falls.' Because it is a separable verb, other elements can be inserted between 下 and 雪.

    Examples

    • 外面开始下雪了,路上小心点。

      wài miàn kāi shǐ xià xuě le, lù shàng xiǎo xīn diǎn.

      It's starting to snow outside; be careful on the road.

    • 北京冬天经常下大雪。

      Běijīng dōngtiān jīngcháng xià dà xuě.

      It often snows heavily in Beijing in winter.

    • 昨天下了一整夜的雪,地上白茫茫的。

      Zuótiān xiàle yī zhěng yè de xuě, dìshang báimángmáng de.

      It snowed all night yesterday, and the ground was a vast expanse of white.

    Expressing 'snowing' with 下雪 (xià xuě) | Chinese Grammar