下手

xià shǒu

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Common

Definitions

1. to start
2. to put one's hand to
3. to set about
4. the seat to the right of the main guest

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 主宾 zhǔ bīn 主宾 zhǔ bīn guest of honor In seating arrangements, 下手 refers to the seat to the right of the main guest (less honored position), while 主宾 is the main guest (seat of honor).: guest of honor

Related words

2 items

• 着手 zhuó shǒu 着手 zhuó shǒu to put one's hand to it 着手 also means 'to set about' or 'to commence', but is slightly more formal, often used in written or business contexts, e.g., 着手准备 (begin preparations).: to put one's hand to it
• 上座 shàng zuò 上座 shàng zuò seat of honor 上座 is the seat of honor, opposite to 下手 in traditional Chinese dining etiquette.: seat of honor

Synonyms

1 item

• 动手 dòng shǒu 动手 dòng shǒu to set about (a task) When meaning 'to start doing something' or 'to set about a task', 下手 and 动手 can both be used, e.g., 不知从何处下手/动手 (not know where to start).: to set about (a task)

Usage notes

Collocations

下手 is often used with 不知从何处 to express not knowing where to start, e.g., 这件事让我不知从何处下手 (I don't know where to start with this matter).

Formality

下手 is neutral in tone but can sound slightly informal when compared to 着手 or 入手 in formal writing.

Example Sentences

1 shown

面对这么多选择，我真是无从 下手 。

Faced with so many choices, I really don't know where to start.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 下手

• 先下手为强 先下手为强 xiān xià shǒu wéi qiáng: strike first and gain the upper hand (idiom, martial arts term); Making the first move is an advantage.
• 打下手 打下手 dǎ xià shǒu: to act in a supporting role
• 无从下手 无从下手 wú cóng xià shǒu: not know where to start
• 老鼠拉龟，无从下手 老鼠拉龟，无从下手 lǎo shǔ lā guī , wú cóng xià shǒu: like mice trying to pull a turtle, nowhere to get a hand grip (idiom)

Child Words of 下手

• 下 下 xià: down
• 手 手 shǒu: hand