count down; countdown
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to count down the remaining seconds; to tick off seconds in reverse order
Originally used in demolition and aerospace launches (e.g., 5, 4, 3, 2, 1). Now also used for New Year celebrations, timed events, and any situation requiring a precise final countdown.
Fā发
shè射
qián前
，
zhǐ指
huī挥
yuán员
kāi开
shǐ始
shǔ数
miǎo秒
：
wǔ五
、
sì四
、
sān三
、
èr二
、
yī一
，
diǎn点
huǒ火
！
Before launch, the commander began the countdown: five, four, three, two, one, ignition!
Xīn新
nián年
dào倒
jì计
shí时
shí时
，
quán全
chǎng场
guān观
zhòng众
yì一
qǐ起
shǔ数
miǎo秒
。
During the New Year's countdown, the entire audience counted down the seconds together.
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Bào爆
pò破
shǒu手
zài在
qǐ起
bào爆
qián前
shǔ数
miǎo秒
，
rán然
hòu后
àn按
xià下
àn按
niǔ钮
。
The demolitionist counted down before detonation, then pressed the button.