Meaning
低 describes something that is low in position, height, level, or degree. It can refer to physical height (a low table), sound volume (speak in a low voice), or abstract concepts like prices, status, or mood. As a verb, it means to lower or bend down something, especially one's head.
Usage
This is a very common everyday word. When used as an adjective, it often appears in compounds like 低价 (low price) or 低声 (low voice). The verb usage 低头 (to lower one's head) is particularly common and can mean literally bowing one's head or figuratively yielding/admitting defeat.
Examples
- 01他低着头走进了房间。.He entered the room with his head lowered.
- 02这家店的价格很低。.The prices at this store are very low.
Common collocations
- 低头to lower one's head, to yield
- 低声in a low voice
- 低价low price
- 低调low-key, modest
Antonyms
Origin
The character 低 combines the person radical 亻 with 氐 (dī), which serves as the phonetic component and originally meant 'root' or 'foundation,' suggesting something at the bottom or base level.