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March 24, 2026
下午xiàwǔ(xia4wu3)
下午 refers to the afternoon period of the day, typically after 12 PM until around 6 PM. It is commonly used when discussing daily schedules, events, or activities that occur in the latter half of the day.
Strokes7Frequency#1026DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the afternoon is often associated with practices like '下午茶' (afternoon tea) or a short nap, reflecting the importance of taking breaks during the day. This shows a cultural emphasis on balance between work and rest.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 下午 as '下' (below) and '午' (noon). Imagine looking down at your watch as the noon hour passes and the afternoon begins, reminding you that '下' signifies the time that follows '午' or noon.
Meanings of 下午
xiàwǔ(xia4wu3)
1afternoon
2p.m.
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About 下午
下午Simplified
7Strokes
—Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#1026Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 下午
Podcast: 下午
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AI Study Notes for 下午
Quick Contrast
下午 (afternoon) vs 晚上 (evening) — use 下午 for the period after noon and before evening, while 晚上 refers to the time after sunset.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 下午 with 早上 (morning) or 晚上 (evening). It is mostly used in informal contexts but can be appropriate in formal settings when discussing times. Common collocations include '下午茶' (afternoon tea) or '下午三点' (3 PM).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 下午 is foundational for discussing time. Learners should focus on using it in simple sentences, like '我下午去商店' (I am going to the store in the afternoon), to build confidence in time-related vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 下午 with 晚上 (evening) due to similar contexts. For example, saying '我晚上三点去' (I go at 3 PM) instead of '我下午三点去' (I go at 3 PM) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 下午
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
下午 refers to the afternoon period of the day, typically after 12 PM until around 6 PM. It is commonly used when discussing daily schedules, events, or activities that occur in the latter half of the day.
When to use 下午
Be careful not to confuse 下午 with 早上 (morning) or 晚上 (evening). It is mostly used in informal contexts but can be appropriate in formal settings when discussing times. Common collocations include '下午茶' (afternoon tea) or '下午三点' (3 PM).
下午 or something close to it
下午 (afternoon) vs 晚上 (evening) — use 下午 for the period after noon and before evening, while 晚上 refers to the time after sunset.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 下午 with 晚上 (evening) due to similar contexts. For example, saying '我晚上三点去' (I go at 3 PM) instead of '我下午三点去' (I go at 3 PM) is incorrect.
Write 下午
下
午
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Grammar Patterns of 下午
下午 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
