XIA-4

('xia' in the fourth tone)

Some 31 standard Chinese character are spoken 'xia'. There is no predominant sound-defining element.

下 = to go down, down, next

下面 = xia(4)mian(4) = below, downstairs, (in text:) following; lit. down part

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以下 = yi(3)xia(4) = below

While in English, 'below' is a preposition, it is a postposition in Chinese.

For a price:

二百元以下 = er(4)bai(3) yuan(2) yi(3)xia(4) = below 200 Yuan

For the age of a person:

三十岁以下 = san(1)shi(2) sui(4) yi(3)xia(4) = below 30 years of age

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下车 = xia(4) che(1) = to get off a vehicle

Written anouncement on a bus:

下车请携带妤随身物品. = Xia(4) che(1) qing(3) xie(2)dai(4) hao(3) sui(2)shen(1) wu(4)pin(3). = When getting off the bus, take along

携带好 = xie(2)dai(4) hao(3) = to take along (the 好 is added for politeness)

随身 = sui(2)shen(1) = carry on one's body

物品  = wu(4)pin(3) = goods (mostly those of daily use)

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夏 = summer

Common two-character form:

夏天 = xia(4)tian(1) = summer

The character for 'summer' should not be confused with the following character:

复 = fu(4) = to duplicate