下来 vs 下: recording or fixing down (写下来 vs 写下)
Both 下 and 下来 can be used after verbs like 写 and 记 to mean 'down (in writing)', but they differ in structure and nuance. 下 attaches directly to the verb and places the object immediately after it (e.g., 写下名字 'write down the name'), treating the downward action as a simple result. 下来 adds the sense of 'bringing down and preserving' and cannot directly take a noun object — it requires a 把-construction or a topic-comment structure (e.g., 把名字写下来 'write the name down (and keep it)').
When expressing 'to write/record something down', both 下 and 下来 can serve as complements, but they follow different syntactic rules and carry slightly different emphases. 下 (xià) attaches directly to a verb (e.g., 写 写下) and can be followed immediately by an object (写下备注 'write down a note'). 下来 (xiàlái) also attaches to a verb (e.g., 写 写下来), but it cannot take a direct object; the object must be introduced via the 把 construction (把备注写下来) or be understood from context (把字写下来 'write the characters down'). 下来 additionally implies that the record is fixed or preserved for later use, not just physically lowered. This structural difference is the key to choosing between them.
When to use each
Use 下来 after a verb (e.g., 写, 记, 抄) when you want to emphasize that the content is recorded permanently or preserved. It cannot be followed directly by a noun object; instead, use the 把 construction or omit the object. For example: 把这段话记下来 'record this paragraph down (for future use)'.
下来 carries a connotation of 'bringing downward and keeping', as if the information is now captured and stored. It is often used when the result is important, not just the action.
Use 下 after a verb (e.g., 写, 记, 签) when you can attach the object directly without a 把 construction. 下 focuses on the downward direction of the action. For example: 写下你的名字 'write down your name' (the name is placed onto paper). It is the simpler, more direct choice when the object follows immediately.
下 can also be used in some idiomatic expressions like 记下 (to make a note of) where the preserved result is implied, but the structural flexibility with objects makes it distinct from 下来.
At a glance
| 下来 | 下 | |
|---|---|---|
| Object placement | Cannot take a noun object directly; use 把-construction (把O+V+下来) or topic-comment. | Can take a noun object directly (V+下+O). |
| Implication of preservation | Stronger implication that the information is recorded for later use, 'locked in'. | Neutral – focuses on the downward action; the record may be temporary. |
| Register | More common in spoken and informal written Chinese when using 把. | Neutral; used in both spoken and formal writing (e.g., 记下要点 'note down key points'). |
| Required structure with object | Must use 把 or context (object omitted/known). | Can attach object directly without 把. |
Examples
- 下写下你的名字。Xiě xià nǐ de míngzì.Write down your name.Correct – object follows directly.
- 下来把名字写下来。Bǎ míngzì xiě xiàlái.Write the name down (and keep it).Correct – uses 把 because 下来 cannot take object directly.
- 下记下这个电话号码。Jì xià zhège diànhuà hàomǎ.Note down this phone number.Correct – direct object after V+下.
- 下来把这个电话号码记下来。Bǎ zhège diànhuà hàomǎ jì xiàlái.Note this phone number down (for later use).Correct – 把 construction with 下来.
- 下来✗写下来名字。✗ Xiě xiàlái míngzì.Write down name.Incorrect – 下来 cannot take a direct object. Use 写下名字 or 把名字写下来.
Common mistakes
- Using 下来 with a direct object: ✗ 记下来电话 → should be 记下电话 or 把电话记下来.
- Thinking 下来 and 下 are interchangeable in all contexts: they are not – 下来 always requires 把 when an object is stated.
- Omitting 把 when using 下来: ✗ 我写下来地址 → should be 我把地址写下来.
- Using 下 when the preservation nuance is needed: ✅ 把要点记下来 emphasizes saving the notes, while 记下要点 is neutral.
FAQ
- When do I use 写下 vs 写下来?
- Use 写下 when the object follows directly (写下日记 'write a diary entry'). Use 写下来 when using a 把 construction (把日记写下来) or when the object is implied (你写下来了吗？ 'Did you write it down?').
- Can I ever use 下来 before the object without 把?
- No, in standard Mandarin, directional complement 下来 cannot be directly followed by a noun object. The object must be placed before the verb or introduced via 把. Exception: in some dialects or very informal speech, you might hear it, but it's considered non-standard.
- Is there a difference in meaning between 记下 and 记下来?
- Yes. 记下 simply means 'note down' as an action. 记下来 (especially with 把) emphasizes that the information is recorded for safekeeping. For example, 记下这个网站 means 'bookmark this website (action)', while 把这个网站记下来 means 'save this website for later use'.
- Is 想下来 a correct phrase?
- No, 想下来 'think down' is not standard. To express 'think through and decide', use 想清楚 or 定下来. 下来 is not used with 想 in that sense.