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下调 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
下调xiàdiàoto demoteHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #45204, Very Hard
下调xiàdiàoto adjust downwardsHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #45204, Very Hard
下调xiàdiàoto pass down to a lower unitHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #45204, Very Hard
下调xiàdiàoto lower (prices, wages etc)HSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #45204, Very Hard
下调xiàtiáoto demoteHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #45204, Very Hard
下调xiàtiáoto adjust downwardsHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #45204, Very Hard
下调xiàtiáoto pass down to a lower unitHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #45204, Very Hard
下调xiàtiáoto lower (prices, wages etc)HSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #45204, Very Hard
xiàdiào(xia4diao4)xia diao
primary
T4
  1. 1to demote
  2. 2to adjust downwards
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March 24, 2026

下调(下調)xiàdiào(xia4diao4)

下调 (xiàtiáo) means to adjust something downwards, commonly used in the context of prices, wages, or levels in an organization. It implies a reduction or demotion, often in response to market conditions or performance assessments.

Strokes13Frequency#45204DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In China, economic adjustments like 下调 are often reported in the news, reflecting the government's influence on markets. It's common for businesses to adjust wages or prices based on government policies, showcasing the interconnectedness of state and economy.

Memory tip

Think of 下 (xià) meaning 'down' and 调 (tiáo) meaning 'adjust' or 'tune'. Imagine a musician lowering the pitch of a string instrument, symbolizing the downward adjustment in prices or positions.

Meanings of 下调

xiàdiào(xia4diao4)
primary
1to demote
2to adjust downwards
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 下调

下调Simplified
下調Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 下调

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Podcast: 下调

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AI study notes for 下调

Quick Contrast

下调 (xiàdiào) vs 调整 (tiáozhěng) — use 下调 when specifically referring to a downward adjustment, while 调整 is more general and can refer to any adjustment, upward or downward.

Usage Notes

Be careful with the context in which you use 下调, as it can imply a negative connotation, especially in formal business settings. It is commonly used in financial discussions, so it’s important to pair it with appropriate nouns like '价格' (price) or '工资' (wage). Avoid using it in informal situations unless discussing economic topics.

HSK Study Tips

While 下调 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects with words related to economics and business, which are useful for advanced learners. Focus on understanding its components and practice using it in relevant contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 下调 with other adjustment terms like 调整 (tiáozhěng), which means 'adjust' more generally. For example, saying '我下调了我的工作' (I adjusted down my job) is incorrect; it should specify the context, like '我下调了我的工资' (I lowered my salary).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 下调

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Component characters

下xiàdown
HSK 13 strokes一
View full entry
调diàoto harmonize
HSK 510 strokes讠
View full entry

How to say to demote in Chinese

“to demote” in Chinese is下调xiàdiào

下调 (xiàtiáo) means to adjust something downwards, commonly used in the context of prices, wages, or levels in an organization. It implies a reduction or demotion, often in response to market conditions or performance assessments.

When to use 下调

Be careful with the context in which you use 下调, as it can imply a negative connotation, especially in formal business settings. It is commonly used in financial discussions, so it’s important to pair it with appropriate nouns like '价格' (price) or '工资' (wage). Avoid using it in informal situations unless discussing economic topics.

下调 or something close to it

下调 (xiàdiào) vs 调整 (tiáozhěng) — use 下调 when specifically referring to a downward adjustment, while 调整 is more general and can refer to any adjustment, upward or downward.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 下调 with other adjustment terms like 调整 (tiáozhěng), which means 'adjust' more generally. For example, saying '我下调了我的工作' (I adjusted down my job) is incorrect; it should specify the context, like '我下调了我的工资' (I lowered my salary).

Write 下调

下
调

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Frequently asked questions about 下调

No, 下调 can be used for wages, organizational ranks, and other contexts where a downward adjustment is needed.

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