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下山 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
下山xiàshān(of the sun) to setHSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, rank #20975, Very Hard
xiàshān(xia4shan1)xia shan T4
  1. 1(of the sun) to set
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March 24, 2026

下山xiàshān(xia4shan1)

下山 (xià shān) literally means 'to go down the mountain.' In a metaphorical sense, it is often used to describe the setting of the sun, highlighting the transition from day to night. This phrase can also imply a downward movement or descent in various contexts.

Strokes6Frequency#20975DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the imagery of the sun setting over mountains is often associated with tranquility and the passage of time. It can also symbolize the end of a journey or phase in life, reflecting a deeper philosophical perspective on change.

Memory tip

Imagine a sun (representing '下' which means 'down') setting behind a mountain ('山'). Picture the sun rolling down the slope of the mountain, casting a warm glow as it descends. This visual can help you remember that down (下) and mountain (山) come together in this phrase.

Meanings of 下山

xiàshān(xia4shan1)
1(of the sun) to set
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About 下山

下山Simplified
6Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 下山

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AI study notes for 下山

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context when using 下山; it is best suited for informal conversations or poetic expressions about nature. Common mistakes include confusing the phrase with other directional terms like '上山' (shàng shān), which means 'to go up the mountain.' Ensure you use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

While 下山 is not an official HSK word, it incorporates basic vocabulary at HSK 1 level: 下 (down) and 山 (mountain). Students should focus on mastering the tones and recognizing how directional words can combine to convey different meanings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 下山 with 上山, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我明天要下山' (I will go up the mountain tomorrow) should be corrected to '我明天要上山.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 下山

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Component characters

下xiàdown
HSK 13 strokes一
View full entry
山shānmountain
HSK 33 strokes山
View full entry

How to say (of the sun) to set in Chinese

“(of the sun) to set” in Chinese is下山xiàshān

下山 (xià shān) literally means 'to go down the mountain.' In a metaphorical sense, it is often used to describe the setting of the sun, highlighting the transition from day to night. This phrase can also imply a downward movement or descent in various contexts.

When to use 下山

Be mindful of the context when using 下山; it is best suited for informal conversations or poetic expressions about nature. Common mistakes include confusing the phrase with other directional terms like '上山' (shàng shān), which means 'to go up the mountain.' Ensure you use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 下山 with 上山, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我明天要下山' (I will go up the mountain tomorrow) should be corrected to '我明天要上山.'

Write 下山

下
山

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Frequently asked questions about 下山

No, while it commonly describes the sun setting, it can also refer to any downward movement or descent from a mountain.

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