Definition
地下 (dì xià) as a noun means 'underground (space)', as in 地下商场, distinct from 地铁 (dì tiě) which is the subway/transport system. As an adjective it means 'covert, secret' (e.g., 地下活动), contrasting with 隐蔽 (yǐn bì) 'hidden, concealed' and 隐藏 (yǐn cáng) the verb 'to hide'.
noun
undergroundthe area below ground level
adjective
undergroundsubterraneancovert
Easily confused
- 底下dǐ xiasound-alikebelow; under
- 低下dī xiàsound-alikelow (in status, quality, degree, etc.); lowly; humble
Examples
- 地下，。dì xià hěn liángkuai, xiàtiān kěyǐ zuò zài zhèlǐ xiūxi.It's cool underground; you can sit here and rest in the summer.
- 地下。Zhège chéngshì yǒu hěn duō dì xià shāngchǎng.This city has many underground shopping malls.
- 地下。Zhè shì yí gè dì xià yánjiū xiàngmù.This is a covert research project.
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