Definition
上下 (shàng xià) has three distinct senses: (1) 'up and down, top and bottom' — the literal opposite pair; (2) 'approximately, about' — used after numbers, like 左右 (zuǒ yòu) but slightly less common; (3) 'everyone, old and young' — referring to all members of a family or organization, more specific than 大家 (dà jiā) 'everyone in general'.
noun
up and downtop and bottomapproximatelyabout (used after numbers)all agesfrom old to youngeveryone (in a family or organization)
Easily confused
- 不下bú xiàlook-alikeno less than (a certain quantity); at least
Examples
- 上下。Zhè běn shū de shàng xià dōu yǒu túpiàn.This book has pictures at the top and bottom.
- 上下。Tā huā le wǔ bǎi kuài shàng xià mǎi le yí ge xīn shǒujī.He spent about 500 yuan on a new phone.
- 上下。Quán jiā shàng xià dōu qù gōngyuán wán le.The whole family, old and young, went to the park to play.
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