低 dī — to lower (one's head); to let droop; to hang down; low; to incline; beneath
今天的气温比昨天低。Jīn tiān de qì wēn bǐ zuó tiān dī.Today temperature is lower than yesterday.
Common words: 降低 (jiàng dī)、低于 (dī yú)、低温 (dī wēn)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "low"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "low", including 低 (dī), 卑 (bēi). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words, and examples.
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "low" covers 2 different Chinese characters — 低 (dī), 卑 (bēi) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 2 characters do not share a sound — their readings span dī, bēi — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 低 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 低 dīto lower (one's head); to let droop; to hang down; low; to incline; beneathUseful words: 降低, 低于
- 卑 bēilow; base; vulgar; inferior; humbleUseful words: 卑鄙, 自卑
Common words for these 2 "low" characters
Anchor each of these 2 characters in a word you can picture — start with 低 (dī) — so "low" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 2 ways to say "low".
卑 bēi — low; base; vulgar; inferior; humble
我们不应该看不起那些职位卑微的人。Wǒ men bù yīng gāi kàn bu qǐ nà xiē zhí wèi bēi wēi de rén.We should not look down on those in humble positions.
Common words: 卑鄙 (bēi bǐ)、自卑 (zì bēi)、卑下 (bēi xià)
All 2 characters
Open 低、卑 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.