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(在)…下

HSK 4
  • Other

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

(在)Noun/Noun phrase (indicating condition/circumstance)下, Main clause

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

The structure (在)…下 is used to express that an action occurs under a certain condition, circumstance, or influence.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

The structure (在)…下 is used to introduce the background, condition, or premise for an action. The noun preceding 下 is typically an abstract, two-syllable noun, such as 帮助 (help), 努力 (effort), 影响 (influence), or 情况 (situation).

The initial 在 may be omitted, especially in formal written language.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 在老师的帮助下,我的中文进步了。
    繁: 在老師的幫助下,我的中文進步了。Zài lǎoshī de bāngzhù xià, wǒ de Zhōngwén jìnbù le.

    With the teacher's help, my Chinese has improved.

  2. 在大家的努力下,我们成功了。
    繁: 在大家的努力下,我們成功了。Zài dàjiā de nǔlì xià, wǒmen chénggōng le.

    Thanks to everyone's effort, we succeeded.

  3. 在这种情况下,你最好别出门。
    繁: 在這種情況下,你最好別出門。Zài zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng xià, nǐ zuìhǎo bié chūmén.

    In this situation, you'd better not go out.

  4. 在他的影响下,我也爱上了音乐。
    繁: 在他的影響下,我也愛上了音樂。Zài tā de yǐngxiǎng xià, wǒ yě ài shàng le yīnyuè.

    Under his influence, I also fell in love with music.

  5. 在父母的支持下,他出国留学了。
    繁: 在父母的支持下,他出國留學了。Zài fùmǔ de zhīchí xià, tā chūguó liúxué le.

    With the support of his parents, he went abroad to study.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong:我在树下看书。
    Correct:在老师的帮助下,我进步了。

    This structure indicates abstract condition, not the position "under" a specific object. The incorrect sentence simply means "I read a book under the tree trunk."

  • Wrong:在努力下,他成功了。
    Correct:在他的努力下,他成功了。

    The noun before `下` must be clearly specified, for example "AI 的努力下" rather than a vague general noun.

Data