xiàshǒu

下首

Word · Noun · VerbTraditional下手

assistant; start doing; right-hand seat; make a chess move

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

4 senses · 8 examples
1.

noun

assistant; helper; apprentice

Refers to a person who assists in manual work or learning a trade. Often implies a subordinate or learner position.

Lǎo老
bǎn板
dài带
le了
jǐ几
ge个
xià下
shǒu手
yī一
qǐ起
gàn干
huó活
 。

The boss brought several helpers to work together.

Tā他
shì是
lǎo老
mù木
jiàng匠
de的
xià下
shǒu手
 ,
xué学
le了
sān三
nián年
shǒu手
yì艺
 。

He is the old carpenter's apprentice, having learned the craft for three years.

2.

verb

to start doing something; to put one's hand to; to begin

Indicates the beginning of an action. Often used when something is difficult to approach or decide where to begin.

Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
hěn很
fù复
zá杂
 ,
bù不
zhī知
cóng从
hé何
xià下
shǒu手
 。

This matter is very complicated; I don't know where to start.

Xiū修
lǐ理
zhè这
tái台
jī机
qì器
hěn很
nán难
xià下
shǒu手
 。

It's very difficult to start repairing this machine.

3.

noun

the seat to the right; right-hand seat (lower position)

formal

In traditional Chinese seating arrangements (facing south), the left (east) is the seat of honor (上首), while the right (west) is the lower position (下手).

Zhǔ主
rén人
zuò坐
zài在
xià下
shǒu手
 ,
péi陪
kè客
rén人
shuō说
huà话
 。

The host sat in the lower seat, keeping the guests company.

Àn按
zhào照
guī规
ju矩
 ,
wǎn晚
bèi辈
yīng应
gāi该
zuò坐
zài在
xià下
shǒu手
 。

According to etiquette, the younger generation should sit in the right-hand seat.

4.

verb

to make a move (in chess, Go, or board games); to place a piece

Specifically used in the context of board games like Go (weiqi) or chess.

Gāi该
nǐ你
xià下
shǒu手
le了
 ,
qǐng请
luò落
zǐ子
 。

It's your turn to make a move; please place your piece.

Tā他
xià下
shǒu手
hěn很
kuài快
 ,
cóng从
bù不
yóu犹
yù豫
 。

He makes his moves very quickly, never hesitating.