天下 tiānxià land under heaven
land under heaven; the whole world; the whole of China; realm; rule
How to remember 天下: 天 day + 下 down = land under heaven.
Characters
How it is used
- 'All under heaven' - the whole world/realm, often with a ruling nuance: 打天下 (dǎ tiānxià) to conquer/win power, 天下第一 (tiānxià dì-yī) the best in the world.
- Classical flavor; carries themes of empire, unity, and rule (得天下 to gain the realm).
- Also everyday hyperbole: 天下没有免费的午餐 (there's no free lunch).
Example sentences
- 今天下雨。 Jīntiān xiàyǔ.It's raining today.
- 今天下雪。 Jīntiān xiàxuě.It's snowing today.
- 昨天下雨了。 Zuótiān xiàyǔ le.It rained yesterday.