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下乡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
下乡xiàxiāngto go to the countrysideHSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, rank #59705, Very Hard
xiàxiāng(xia4xiang1) T4
  1. 1to go to the countryside
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March 24, 2026

下乡(下鄉)xiàxiāng(xia4xiang1)

下乡 (xiàxiāng) means 'to go to the countryside,' often implying a trip for work, study, or leisure. It is commonly used in contexts involving rural development, tourism, or social activities, particularly in China where urban-rural dynamics play a significant role in society.

Strokes6Frequency#59705DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The phrase is often associated with China's historical movement to send urban youth to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution, reflecting a significant aspect of Chinese socio-political history.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person heading 'down' (下) a road to explore the 'countryside' (乡). Picture them with a backpack full of supplies, excited to discover the beauty of rural life, which helps you remember the connection between 'down' and 'countryside'.

Meanings of 下乡

xiàxiāng(xia4xiang1)
1to go to the countryside
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About 下乡

下乡Simplified
下鄉Traditional
6Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 下乡

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Podcast: 下乡

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AI Study Notes for 下乡

Quick Contrast

乡下 (xiāngxià) - refers specifically to the countryside itself, while 下乡 (xiàxiāng) emphasizes the action of going to the countryside.

Usage Notes

This term is often used in formal contexts when discussing policies or initiatives related to rural areas. Avoid using it in casual conversation about merely visiting friends in the countryside, as it may sound overly formal. Pay attention to the tones; mispronouncing them can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

While 下乡 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it relates to HSK level 3-4 themes of travel and community. Students should focus on using the phrase in context, especially when discussing travel plans or social initiatives.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 下乡 with simply visiting the countryside, which can lead to misuse. For example, saying '我下乡去朋友家' (I go to my friend's house in the countryside) is incorrect; it should be '我去乡村看朋友'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 下乡

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Component Characters

下xiàdown
HSK 13 strokes一
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乡xiāngcountry or countryside
HSK 53 strokes幺
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How to say to go to the countryside in Chinese

“to go to the countryside” in Chinese is下乡xiàxiāng

下乡 (xiàxiāng) means 'to go to the countryside,' often implying a trip for work, study, or leisure. It is commonly used in contexts involving rural development, tourism, or social activities, particularly in China where urban-rural dynamics play a significant role in society.

When to use 下乡

This term is often used in formal contexts when discussing policies or initiatives related to rural areas. Avoid using it in casual conversation about merely visiting friends in the countryside, as it may sound overly formal. Pay attention to the tones; mispronouncing them can change the meaning entirely.

下乡 or something close to it

乡下 (xiāngxià) - refers specifically to the countryside itself, while 下乡 (xiàxiāng) emphasizes the action of going to the countryside.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 下乡 with simply visiting the countryside, which can lead to misuse. For example, saying '我下乡去朋友家' (I go to my friend's house in the countryside) is incorrect; it should be '我去乡村看朋友'.

Write 下乡

下
乡

Practice writing 下乡 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 下乡

Use 下乡 when discussing trips to rural areas for work or cultural exchange, rather than casual visits.

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