Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
低于()dīyú(di1yu2)
The phrase 低于 (dī yú) means 'to be lower than' in a comparative sense. It is commonly used in contexts such as measurements, prices, or levels to indicate that one value is less than another. This term is often found in discussions related to economics, statistics, or any scenario where comparisons are made.
Frequency#10306DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions of comparisons often relate to social status or economic conditions, making the usage of words like 低于 relevant in business and social discussions. It reflects the importance of understanding one's position relative to others.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'D' for 'down' in 低 (dī) and 'Y' for 'Yonder' in 于 (yú). Picture a graph where one line dips down below another, illustrating that one value is lower than the other. This visual aids in remembering both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 低于
dīyú(di1yu2)
1to be lower than
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 低于
低于Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 低于
Podcast: 低于
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 低于
Quick Contrast
低于 (dī yú) vs 小于 (xiǎo yú): Use 低于 for comparisons involving levels or amounts that are lower, while 小于 is specifically used for numerical values that are less than another.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'D' for 'down' in 低 (dī) and 'Y' for 'Yonder' in 于 (yú). Picture a graph where one line dips down below another, illustrating that one value is lower than the other. This visual aids in remembering both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; 低 (dī) has a first tone, while 于 (yú) has a second tone. It is often used in formal contexts, such as reports or academic writing. Common collocations include 低于预期 (dī yú yù qī) meaning 'lower than expected.'
HSK Study Tips
While 低于 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it incorporates the character 低 (dī), which is level 2 vocabulary. Students should focus on recognizing comparative structures and similar phrases like 高于 (gāo yú, 'higher than') to enhance understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions of comparisons often relate to social status or economic conditions, making the usage of words like 低于 relevant in business and social discussions. It reflects the importance of understanding one's position relative to others.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse it with 低 (dī) alone, forgetting the comparative context. For example, saying '这个价格低' (zhè ge jià gé dī) means 'This price is low' but does not indicate a comparison. Use '低于' for comparisons instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 低于
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 低于 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 低于 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Common Confusions with 低于
低于vs于
yú
'于' is often confused due to its use in prepositional phrases.
低于vs低
dī
Similar sound and shape, but '低' means 'low' while '于' is a preposition.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to be lower than"?
or
Usage Notes for 低于
Usage with ComparativesGrammar Tip
The phrase '低于' is often used in comparative structures to indicate something is lower than another.
1
这个价格低于市场价。
This price is lower than the market price.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
这个价格____市场价。
This price is lower than the market price.
Cultural Notes for 低于
💡Did you know?
在汉字中，‘低’字的下方有一个‘矢’字根，代表箭头，寓意着向下的方向，这与其意义相符。
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, discussions of comparisons often relate to social status or economic conditions, making the usage of words like 低于 relevant in business and social discussions. It reflects the importance of understanding one's position relative to others.
📜Proverb
‘山外有山，人外有人。’这句成语提醒我们，任何事物都有比它更低的层次，反映了谦逊的价值。
Frequently Asked Questions about 低于
Yes, 低于 can be used in both formal and informal writing. It is commonly found in academic, business, and everyday contexts when making comparisons or discussing measurements. Just ensure that the context is appropriate for its use.
Synonyms for 低于 include '少于' (shǎo yú), which means 'less than', and '低于标准' (dī yú biāo zhǔn), meaning 'below standard.' These terms can be used interchangeably depending on the context of the comparison.
To use 低于 in a sentence, you typically follow it with a comparison. For instance, you can say '这个价格低于我预期的' which translates to 'This price is lower than I expected.' It helps to clearly indicate the two items being compared.
低于 (dī yú) means 'lower than' or 'below' in Chinese. It is often used in comparisons to indicate that one quantity is less than another. For example, you might say '他的成绩低于我的' which means 'His score is lower than mine.'
You can say '这个价格低于市场价' (zhè ge jià gé dī yú shì chǎng jià), meaning 'This price is lower than the market price.'
It's more commonly used in formal contexts, such as academic or business discussions, rather than casual conversation.
Yes, you can use it for various comparisons, such as temperature, height, or prices, as long as one item is less than the other.
