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A2 verb 10 min de lectura

坐下

zuoxia

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 坐下 en 30 segundos

Explicación 坐下 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '坐下' (zuò xià) is taught as a basic command and a crucial part of classroom or social survival. Learners focus on the literal meaning: moving from standing to a chair. You will mostly use it in the imperative form, like '请坐下' (Please sit down). It is often one of the first directional complements (下) students encounter. At this stage, don't worry about complex grammar; just remember that '坐' is sit and '下' is down. You might also learn '请坐' as a shorter, polite version. You will use it when welcoming a friend to your room or when your teacher tells you to stop standing. It's a 'physical' word—you see the action happening immediately after the word is spoken.

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At the A2 level, you begin to see '坐下' in more varied sentence structures. You learn to use it with the particle '了' to describe completed actions, like '他坐下了' (He sat down). You also learn to combine it with other verbs in a sequence, such as '坐下看书' (Sit down and read a book). At this stage, you should start noticing the difference between '坐下' (the action) and '坐在...上' (the state of being on something). You might also encounter '坐一下' (sit for a bit). You are expected to use it correctly in simple stories or when giving directions to someone in a house. You also begin to understand that '坐下' is a resultative verb, where '下' tells us the result or direction of the '坐'.

By B1, you are expected to use '坐下' fluently in more complex narratives. You should be comfortable using it with modal verbs like '想' (want) or '可以' (can): '我可以坐下吗？' (Can I sit down?). You will also encounter it in more descriptive contexts, such as '他气呼呼地坐下了' (He sat down huffily). At this level, you understand the nuance of using '坐下' versus more formal terms like '就座'. You can also use '坐下' to set the scene in a story, describing a character's transition into a state of rest or focus. You might also start seeing it in set phrases or slightly more abstract contexts, like '坐下来谈谈' (sit down and have a talk), implying a serious or lengthy discussion.

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At the B2 level, '坐下' is used with high precision. You understand how to use it with various adverbs to describe the manner of the action (e.g., '缓缓地坐下' - slowly sitting down). You also recognize it in the context of social hierarchy—who tells whom to '坐下' and what that implies about their relationship. You are likely to encounter it in literature where the act of sitting down symbolizes a character's resignation, fatigue, or decision-making moment. You should also be able to distinguish between '坐下' and its more formal counterparts like '入座' in written reports or news. Your understanding of the directional complement '下' is now deep enough that you can see why it's used here compared to other verbs.

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At the C1 level, '坐下' is often used in literary or highly nuanced ways. You might find it in philosophical texts or advanced fiction where '坐下' represents a metaphorical 'settling' or 'grounding.' You understand the rhythmic and stylistic choices an author makes when choosing '坐下' over '就座' or '落座'. You are also familiar with historical or dialectal variations and can appreciate how the word has evolved. At this level, you can use '坐下' in complex grammatical structures, such as potential complements ('坐得下' - can fit/sit down) or in passive constructions, although '坐下' is rarely used in the passive. You have a sense of the 'weight' the word carries in different social strata of Chinese society.

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over '坐下' and all its related forms. You can discuss the etymology of the character '坐' (two people sitting on the ground) and how the addition of '下' reflects the spatial logic of the Chinese language. You can use the term in academic discussions about linguistics, specifically regarding directional complements. You are able to interpret the most subtle social cues associated with the word—for instance, the power dynamic in a courtroom or a high-level diplomatic meeting where '请坐' is used. You can also play with the word in creative writing, using it to evoke specific moods or to subvert expectations. '坐下' is no longer just a verb to you; it's a tool for precise expression in the vast landscape of Chinese communication.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

坐下 en 30 segundos

坐下 (zuò xià) literally means 'to sit down' and is the standard way to describe this physical action in Chinese.
It combines the verb for sitting (坐) with the directional complement (下) to indicate downward movement.
It is commonly used as a polite invitation (请坐下) or a direct command in classrooms and homes.
Grammatically, it often appears with '了' to show the action is finished, or followed by other verbs like '喝茶' or '休息'.

The Chinese term 坐下 (zuò xià) is a fundamental verb phrase primarily used to describe the physical action of moving from a standing or upright position to a seated one. It is composed of two characters: 坐 (zuò), meaning 'to sit,' and 下 (xià), a directional complement meaning 'down.' Together, they form a resultative verb construction that emphasizes the completion of the action. In everyday life, this phrase is ubiquitous, heard in classrooms when a teacher addresses students, in social gatherings when a host welcomes guests, and in public spaces like buses or parks. Beyond the literal physical movement, it carries a weight of social instruction and hospitality, often serving as the first step in establishing a comfortable environment for conversation or work.

Physical Action: The most common use is the literal movement of sitting. For example, when you find an empty chair in a library, you '坐下'.
Imperative Command: In a classroom or training setting, it is used by figures of authority to manage a group. It is often softened with '请' (qǐng) to mean 'Please sit down.'
Social Etiquette: Offering someone a seat with '请坐下' is a basic sign of politeness in Chinese culture, indicating that the guest is welcome to stay and talk.

老师说：“请大家坐下，我们要开始上课了。”
(The teacher said: "Everyone please sit down, we are going to start the class.")

In more formal contexts, such as a business meeting or a formal banquet, '坐下' might be replaced by '请就座' (qǐng jiùzuò), which means 'please take your seats.' However, in 90% of daily interactions, '坐下' is the standard term. It is also used in pet training; when telling a dog to sit, you simply say '坐下!'. The versatility of this word makes it one of the first 50 verbs a learner should master. It bridges the gap between basic survival Chinese and natural conversational fluency. When you hear it, look for a chair or a space on the ground, as the speaker is directing your physical placement in space.

他觉得很累，所以就在草地上坐下了。
(He felt very tired, so he sat down on the grass.)

Context: Restaurant: Waiters might say '这里可以坐下' (You can sit down here) to indicate an available table.
Context: Home: A parent might tell a child '坐下吃饭' (Sit down and eat) to encourage proper behavior at the table.

Using 坐下 correctly requires understanding its structure as a Verb + Directional Complement. In Chinese, verbs often need a complement to indicate the direction or result of an action. Since sitting involves moving 'down' onto a surface, '下' is the natural partner for '坐'. This section explores the various grammatical frameworks where '坐下' appears, from simple imperatives to complex past-tense descriptions.

请随便坐下，不用客气。
(Please sit anywhere, don't be formal.)

Structure 1: Simple Imperative: [Polite Particle] + [Subject] + 坐下. Example: '请你坐下' (Please sit down). This is the most direct way to ask someone to take a seat.
Structure 2: Completed Action with '了': Subject + 坐下 + 了. Example: '他坐下了' (He sat down). The '了' indicates the change of state from standing to sitting is complete.
Structure 3: Location Specification: Subject + 坐在 + [Location] + 下. Note: Often we say '坐在椅子上' (Sitting on the chair), but '坐下' can be followed by a location using '在': '他在沙发上坐下了' (He sat down on the sofa).

One of the most important things for learners to remember is the placement of the particle '了'. You can say '坐下了' (action finished) but never '坐了下'. The complement '下' must stay attached to the verb '坐' to maintain the meaning of 'downward movement.' Furthermore, when using '坐下' in a sequence of actions, it often precedes another verb: '坐下喝茶' (sit down and drink tea) or '坐下休息' (sit down and rest). This shows that the act of sitting is a prerequisite for the next activity.

我们先坐下慢慢谈吧。
(Let's sit down first and talk slowly.)

In negative sentences, you use '别' (bié) for commands or '没' (méi) for past actions. '别坐下' (Don't sit down) might be said if a chair is broken or wet. '他没有坐下' (He didn't sit down) describes someone who remained standing throughout an event. Mastery of these variations allows you to navigate physical spaces in China with confidence and precision.

The phrase 坐下 is a staple of oral Chinese. Its frequency in daily life is incredibly high because it relates to a basic human posture. You will encounter it in diverse environments, each with its own social nuance. Understanding these contexts helps you interpret the tone of the speaker—whether they are being welcoming, authoritative, or simply descriptive.

The Classroom: Teachers frequently say '同学们，请坐下' (Students, please sit down) after the class stands up to greet them. It signals the transition from the greeting ritual to the instructional period.
Public Transportation: On a crowded Beijing subway, you might hear '这里有个位子，你坐下吧' (There's a seat here, you sit down). This is a common act of kindness, especially toward the elderly or children.
The Doctor's Office: Upon entering a clinic, the doctor will likely gesture to a stool and say '请坐下，哪里不舒服？' (Please sit down, where do you feel unwell?). Here, it marks the beginning of a professional consultation.

电影快开始了，大家快坐下。
(The movie is about to start, everyone sit down quickly.)

In movies and TV dramas, '坐下' is often used in high-tension scenes. A boss might sternly tell an employee to '坐下!' to initiate a serious talk, or a parent might use it to discipline a restless child. Conversely, in a romantic setting, one might say '坐下，我给你看个东西' (Sit down, I want to show you something), creating a sense of intimacy and focused attention. Because it involves a change in physical level (moving lower), it often implies a settling of energy—moving from the chaos of standing and moving to the stillness of sitting.

Finally, in the world of sports or fitness, an instructor might say '慢慢坐下' (slowly sit down) during a yoga or squat exercise. Here, the focus is on the quality of the movement itself. Whether it's the brisk command of a subway guard or the gentle invitation of a friend at a teahouse, '坐下' is the verbal gateway to rest and engagement.

Even a simple phrase like 坐下 can be tricky for English speakers due to the way Chinese handles verbs and locations. The most frequent errors involve confusing the action of sitting with the state of being seated, or misplacing the location in the sentence. Understanding these pitfalls will make your Chinese sound much more natural and grammatically sound.

Mistake 1: Confusing '坐下' with '坐在': Many learners say '我坐下椅子' to mean 'I sit on the chair.' This is incorrect. '坐下' describes the downward motion. To specify the object you are sitting on, you must use '坐在...上' (zuò zài... shàng). Correct: '我坐在椅子上' or '我在椅子上坐下'.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Directional Complement: In English, we can just say 'Sit!' In Chinese, saying '坐!' sounds like a very harsh command, often used for animals. To sound like a human talking to a human, you usually need the complement '下' or a polite modifier like '请坐'.
Mistake 3: Misplacing the Particle '了': Learners often try to put '了' directly after the verb: '坐了下'. In resultative or directional constructions, '了' almost always goes after the complement. Correct: '坐下了'.

❌ 我坐下在沙发。
✅ 我在沙发上坐下了。
(Common word order error)

Another subtle mistake is using '坐下' when you actually mean 'stay' or 'wait.' For example, if you want someone to stay in their seat, you wouldn't say '坐下,' you would say '坐着' (zuòzhe - stay sitting) or '别动' (bié dòng - don't move). '坐下' is purely about the act of descending into a seat. If someone is already sitting, telling them to '坐下' will be confusing!

Lastly, be careful with '请坐' vs '请坐下'. '请坐' (qǐng zuò) is the standard, polite 'Please take a seat' used when hosting. '请坐下' (qǐng zuò xià) is slightly more specific to the action of moving down. If you are at a party and want to be a good host, '请坐' is usually the safer, more elegant choice.

While 坐下 is the most common way to say 'sit down,' Chinese offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality, the specific physical action, or the context of the situation. Knowing these synonyms will help you understand more sophisticated Chinese and choose the right word for the right occasion.

1. 请坐 (qǐng zuò): This is the most common polite invitation. It omits the '下' to focus on the invitation rather than the physical direction. It’s what you say when a guest enters your office or home.
2. 就座 (jiù zuò): A formal term meaning 'to take one's seat.' You will hear this at weddings, conferences, or formal ceremonies. '请各位嘉宾就座' (Would all guests please take their seats).
3. 坐好 (zuò hǎo): Meaning 'to sit properly' or 'to sit well.' This is often said to children or students who are fidgeting. It implies not just sitting, but sitting in a correct or stable manner.
4. 入座 (rù zuò): Similar to '就座', but often used in the context of a theater or a restaurant. It literally means 'to enter the seat.'

会议即将开始，请大家就座。
(The meeting is about to start, please take your seats.)

There are also more casual or regional ways to express sitting. In some northern dialects, people might say '蹲下' (dūn xià) to mean squat down, which is a common posture for resting in rural areas. However, for a learner, sticking to '坐下' and '请坐' will cover almost all social needs. Another interesting variation is '坐会儿' (zuò huìr), which means 'sit for a while.' This is a very friendly, casual way to suggest someone stay and chat without the pressure of a formal 'sit down' command.

In summary, while '坐下' is your workhorse verb, pay attention to '就座' in formal settings and '坐好' when posture matters. Using '请坐' when hosting will instantly make you sound more cultured and polite to native speakers.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

If you look closely at the character 坐, you can see two '人' (people) characters on top of a '土' (earth) character. It's like a little picture of a conversation on the grass!

Guía de pronunciación

UK /tsuɔː ʃjɑː/

US /tsuɔ ʃjɑ/

Equal stress on both syllables, as both are 4th tone.

Rima con

做下 (zuò xià) 落下 (luò xià) 过夏 (guò xià) 错下 (cuò xià) 拓下 (tuò xià) 括下 (kuò xià) 弱下 (ruò xià) 若下 (ruò xià)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'zuo' like 'zoo'. It should be a 'ts' sound.
Pronouncing 'xia' like 'zia'. It is a 'sh' sound.
Missing the tones; if said with rising tones, it sounds like a question.
Linking the words too loosely; they should be a tight unit.
Over-emphasizing the 'u' in 'zuo'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 1/5

Characters are basic; '坐' and '下' are taught very early.

Escritura 2/5

The character '坐' has several strokes but is symmetrical and logical.

Expresión oral 1/5

Simple pronunciation, though tones must be distinct.

Escucha 1/5

Very common and easy to recognize in context.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

我 (I) 你 (You) 请 (Please) 在 (At) 椅子 (Chair)

Aprende después

站起来 (Stand up) 走 (Walk) 跑 (Run) 躺下 (Lie down) 位子 (Seat)

Avanzado

就座 (Take seat) 落座 (To seat oneself) 坐立不安 (Restless) 座无虚席 (No empty seats)

Gramática que debes saber

Directional Complements (下, 上, 进, 出)

坐下 (Sit down), 站起来 (Stand up).

The Particle '了' for Completion

他坐下了 (He has sat down).

Verb-Object-Complement Order

他在椅子上(Place)坐下(Verb+Comp).

Sequential Verb Phrases

坐下(V1)休息(V2).

Polite Imperatives with '请'

请坐下。

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Ejemplos por nivel

请坐下。

Please sit down.

Basic imperative with '请' (please).

老师，我可以坐下吗？

Teacher, may I sit down?

Using '可以' (can/may) for permission.

坐下，别说话。

Sit down, don't talk.

A direct command.

大家请坐下。

Everyone please sit down.

'大家' (everyone) as the subject.

我坐下喝水。

I sit down to drink water.

Sequential actions: sit down + drink.

这里可以坐下吗？

Can (I) sit down here?

Asking about possibility at a location.

你坐下，我站着。

You sit down, I will stand.

Contrast between '坐下' (action) and '站着' (state).

小狗，坐下！

Puppy, sit down!

Command used for animals.

他累了，就坐下了。

He was tired, so he sat down.

Using '了' to show result of being tired.

我们在公园里坐下了。

We sat down in the park.

Location '在公园里' comes before the verb.

请先坐下，医生马上就来。

Please sit down first, the doctor will come soon.

'先' (first) indicates order of events.

他坐在沙发上坐下了。

He sat down on the sofa.

Redundant but common way to specify the exact spot.

不要在这里坐下，地很脏。

Don't sit down here, the ground is dirty.

Negative command '不要'.

妹妹坐下开始写作业。

Little sister sat down and started doing homework.

Action sequence.

他没坐下就走了。

He left without even sitting down.

Negative past action '没...就'.

请大家找位子坐下。

Everyone please find a seat and sit down.

Verb phrase '找位子' (find a seat) + '坐下'.

他示意我坐下，然后递给我一杯茶。

He motioned for me to sit down, then handed me a cup of tea.

'示意' (to gesture/motion) + object + verb.

由于没有空位，他一直没能坐下。

Since there were no empty seats, he wasn't able to sit down.

'没能' (wasn't able to) expressing inability.

我们坐下来谈谈关于明天计划的事吧。

Let's sit down and talk about the plan for tomorrow.

'坐下来' is a variation emphasizing 'settling down' to do something.

他一坐下，电话就响了。

As soon as he sat down, the phone rang.

'一...就...' (as soon as... then...).

她轻轻地在床边坐下，怕吵醒孩子。

She sat down gently on the edge of the bed, afraid of waking the child.

Adverbial '轻轻地' (gently) modifying the action.

老人家，您请坐下休息会儿。

Old gentleman, please sit down and rest for a while.

Polite address '您' and duration '会儿'.

他并没有坐下，而是靠在墙边。

He didn't sit down, but instead leaned against the wall.

'并没有...而是...' (did not... but instead...).

在老师的允许下，他才坐下了。

He only sat down after the teacher gave permission.

'在...下' (under/with...) + '才' (only then).

他显得有些局促不安，坐下后不停地搓手。

He seemed a bit restless; after sitting down, he kept rubbing his hands.

Complex descriptive sentence with post-action behavior.

尽管大家都让他坐下，他还是坚持站着听报告。

Even though everyone told him to sit down, he insisted on standing to listen to the report.

'尽管...还是...' (Even though... still...).

他猛地坐下，椅子发出了一声刺耳的响声。

He sat down abruptly, and the chair made a piercing noise.

Adverb '猛地' (abruptly/violently).

在那位老教授面前，他总是恭恭敬敬地坐下。

In front of that old professor, he always sat down respectfully.

Four-character idiom '恭恭敬敬' (respectfully) as an adverb.

会议室里的人很多，迟到的人根本没法坐下。

There were many people in the meeting room; those who were late couldn't sit down at all.

'没法' (no way to) expressing objective impossibility.

她优雅地坐下，调整了一下裙摆。

She sat down gracefully and adjusted her skirt.

Describing manner and subsequent minor action.

他刚要坐下，就被朋友叫住了。

He was just about to sit down when he was called by a friend.

'刚要...就...' (just about to... when...).

大家依次坐下，等待着最后的结果。

Everyone sat down in order, waiting for the final result.

Adverb '依次' (in order/one by one).

他颓然坐下，仿佛所有的力气都在那一瞬间消失了。

He sat down dejectedly, as if all his strength had vanished in that instant.

Literary adverb '颓然' (dejectedly/limply).

在如此庄严的场合，每个人都必须肃穆地坐下。

In such a solemn occasion, everyone must sit down solemnly.

Formal adverb '肃穆地' (solemnly).

他并没有立刻回答，而是先稳稳地坐下，端起茶杯。

He didn't answer immediately, but first sat down steadily and picked up the teacup.

Focus on the deliberate nature of the action.

每当他感到迷茫时，总会去海边坐下，听听浪声。

Whenever he feels lost, he always goes to the seaside to sit and listen to the waves.

'每当...总会...' (whenever... always...).

他那副旁若无人的样子，径直走到首席坐下了。

With an air of ignoring everyone else, he walked straight to the head seat and sat down.

Idiom '旁若无人' (as if no one else were around).

由于空间狭小，这十个人很难在这一排同时坐下。

Due to the cramped space, it's hard for these ten people to sit down in this row at the same time.

Potential/Resultative logic in a constrained context.

她在那张古老的摇椅上坐下，思绪回到了童年。

She sat down on that ancient rocking chair, and her thoughts returned to her childhood.

Using the action to trigger a narrative shift.

他示意随从在外候着，自己则独自进屋坐下。

He motioned for his attendants to wait outside, while he entered the room and sat down alone.

Formal narrative style.

他这种不请自来的行为，在未获主人允许前便径自坐下，实属失礼。

His uninvited behavior—sitting down on his own before obtaining the host's permission—is truly impolite.

Highly formal/judgmental tone using '径自' and '实属'.

在那场博弈中，他每坐下一个位置，都经过了深思熟虑。

In that game of strategy, every position he took (sat in) was the result of deliberate thought.

Metaphorical use of '坐下' for taking a position.

他缓缓坐下，那一刻，历史的尘埃似乎也随之落定。

He sat down slowly; at that moment, the dust of history seemed to settle as well.

Philosophical and evocative imagery.

即便是在最局促的板凳上，他也能坐下如钟，尽显禅意。

Even on the most cramped stool, he could sit as still as a bell, fully embodying Zen.

Cultural reference '坐如钟' (sit like a bell).

他并没有急于辩解，只是静静地坐下，任由流言蜚语在耳边掠过。

He was in no hurry to defend himself; he just sat quietly, letting the rumors and gossip brush past his ears.

Using '坐下' to convey emotional stoicism.

他在那张象征权力的椅子上坐下时，心中并无喜悦，只有沉重的责任感。

When he sat down in that chair symbolizing power, there was no joy in his heart, only a heavy sense of responsibility.

Abstract symbolism of the seat.

这种‘坐下即安’的心态，是他多年修行所得。

This mindset of 'finding peace the moment one sits' is the result of his many years of cultivation.

Nominalized use of the action.

他那略显笨拙的坐下动作，掩盖了他内心极其敏锐的观察力。

His slightly clumsy movement of sitting down masked his extremely sharp powers of observation.

Using the action as a character foil.

Colocaciones comunes

请坐下

慢慢坐下

随便坐下

一坐下就...

坐下休息

坐下吃饭

在椅子上坐下

没法坐下

最后坐下

坐下谈谈

Frases Comunes

请坐下

— The standard polite way to ask someone to take a seat.

客人来了，请坐下。

坐下吧

— A softer, more casual suggestion to sit down.

别站着了，坐下吧。

快坐下

— An urgent or enthusiastic request to sit down quickly.

快坐下，电影要开始了。

坐下听

— To sit down specifically to listen to something.

坐下听我给你讲故事。

坐下等

— To take a seat while waiting for someone or something.

你先坐下等我五分钟。

坐下看

— To sit down to watch or read something.

坐下看会儿电视吧。

在这儿坐下

— Specifying 'here' as the place to sit.

你在这儿坐下，我去买票。

坐下歇歇

— A colloquial way to say 'sit down and have a rest'.

累坏了吧？快坐下歇歇。

坐下聊

— To sit down for a chat.

咱们坐下聊，不着急。

不敢坐下

— Not daring to sit down (due to fear, respect, or dirt).

在老板面前，他不敢坐下。

Se confunde a menudo con

坐下 vs 坐在

Focuses on the location/state of sitting, whereas '坐下' focuses on the action/direction.

坐下 vs 坐着

Indicates the ongoing state of being seated, not the act of sitting down.

坐下 vs 请坐

A more general polite invitation, while '坐下' is more specific to the physical movement.

Modismos y expresiones

"坐下如钟"

— To sit as still and stable as a large bell. Describes excellent posture.

他受过武术训练，坐下如钟。

Literary / Descriptive

"坐立难安"

— To be so anxious that one can neither sit nor stand comfortably.

等成绩的时候，他真是坐立难安。

Common Idiom

"平起平坐"

— To sit at the same level; to be on equal footing.

在这个公司，他可以和老板平起平坐。

Metaphorical

"坐享其成"

— To sit and enjoy the fruits of others' labor without working oneself.

你不能总是坐享其成，要自己努力。

Critical

"坐吃山空"

— To sit and eat until even a mountain is gone; to consume wealth without earning.

如果不工作，再多的家产也会坐吃山空。

Proverbial

"稳坐钓鱼台"

— To sit firmly on the fishing terrace; to remain calm and confident in a crisis.

无论外面怎么乱，他依然稳坐钓鱼台。

Idiomatic

"席地而坐"

— To sit on the ground (using the ground as a mat).

学生们在草地上席地而坐。

Descriptive

"坐观成败"

— To sit and watch the success or failure of others without getting involved.

他选择坐观成败，不轻易表态。

Strategic

"坐而论道"

— To sit and discuss theories without taking practical action.

我们不能只是坐而论道，必须行动起来。

Philosophical

"坐井观天"

— To sit in a well and look at the sky; to have a very narrow perspective.

如果不出去看看，你永远只是坐井观天。

Classic Metaphor

Fácil de confundir

坐下 vs 坐

Both mean 'sit'.

'坐' is the general verb, while '坐下' is the specific action of moving into a seat.

他在坐着 (He is sitting) vs 他坐下了 (He sat down).

坐下 vs 下座

Reversed characters.

'下座' can mean 'to leave one's seat' or refer to a less honorable seat, while '坐下' is the action of sitting.

他还没下座 (He hasn't left the seat yet).

坐下 vs 做下

Same pronunciation (zuò xià).

'做下' (to commit/do a wrong act) is rare and uses a different character '做'.

他做下了错事 (He committed a mistake).

坐下 vs 落下

Similar 'down' complement.

'落下' (luò xià) means 'to fall down' or 'to drop'.

叶子落下了 (The leaves fell down).

坐下 vs 蹲下

Same directional complement.

'蹲下' (dūn xià) means 'to squat down'.

请蹲下，别让别人看见你。

Patrones de oraciones

请 + 坐下

请坐下。

Subject + 坐下 + 了

他坐下了。

Subject + 坐下 + [Verb]

我坐下吃饭。

Subject + 在 [Place] + 坐下

他在树下坐下。

Subject + 一坐下 + 就 + [Action]

我一坐下就睡着了。

Subject + [Adverb]地 + 坐下

她安静地坐下。

Subject + [Idiom] + 坐下

他旁若无人地坐下。

[Nominalized Clause] + 坐下

他的坐下标志着会议的开始。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

座位 (zuòwèi - seat)

座次 (zuòcì - seating order)

座谈会 (zuòtánhuì - forum/symposium)

Verbos

坐 (zuò - to sit)

坐在 (zuòzài - to sit at/on)

坐着 (zuòzhe - to be sitting)

Adjetivos

坐定的 (zuòdìng de - settled/fixed)

Relacionado

椅子 (yǐzi - chair)

沙发 (shāfā - sofa)

板凳 (bǎndèng - stool)

位子 (wèizi - place/seat)

站起来 (zhàn qǐlái - stand up)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely frequent in both spoken and written Chinese.

Errores comunes

Using '坐下' as a state. → 我坐着。
Learners say '我坐下' to mean 'I am sitting'. '坐下' is the action of sitting down. To describe the state, use '坐着'.
Word order with location. → 在椅子上坐下。
Learners often say '坐下在椅子上'. In Chinese, the location (prepositional phrase) usually comes before the verb.
Missing the '下'. → 请坐下。
Saying just '坐' can sound very rude or like you're talking to a dog. Adding '下' or '请' makes it human.
Misplacing '了'. → 坐下了。
Learners say '坐了下'. In directional complement structures, '了' goes after the complement.
Confusing '坐下' with '请坐'. → 请坐。
Using '请坐下' in a very formal setting where '请坐' or '请就座' is more appropriate.

Consejos

Placement of '了'

Always put '了' after the whole phrase: '坐下了'. Don't put it in the middle like '坐了下', which is a common mistake for learners.

Hospitality

When a guest comes to your house, say '请坐' instead of '坐下'. It sounds much more welcoming and sophisticated.

The 'TS' sound

The 'Z' in 'Zuo' is not like a 'Z' in English. It's a 'TS' sound, like the end of the word 'cats'. Practice saying 'cats-uo'.

Classroom Chinese

If you are a student, wait for the teacher to say '请坐下' before you sit. It's an important sign of respect in Chinese culture.

Visualizing Characters

The character '坐' looks like two people sitting on a bench (the '土' part). Use this visual to remember the meaning!

Verb-Complement

Treat '坐下' as a single unit. Many Chinese verbs work this way (Verb + Direction), such as '站起来' (stand up) and '走开' (walk away).

Adding '吧'

Adding '吧' (ba) to '坐下' (坐下吧) turns a command into a gentle suggestion. Use this with friends.

On the Bus

If you see an elderly person, you can point to your seat and say '您坐下吧'. This is a great way to practice your Chinese and be helpful.

Stroke Order

For '坐', write the two '人' first, then the horizontal line, then the vertical, then the bottom horizontal. It's symmetrical!

Double Falling Tones

Train your ear to hear the 'falling-falling' rhythm of 4th-4th tones. It's very distinctive in Chinese.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine two PEOPLE (从) sitting on the DIRT (土) and moving DOWN (下) to do so. Two people on the ground = 坐. Arrow down = 下.

Asociación visual

Visualize a 'down' arrow pointing to a chair. The character 坐 looks like a person's legs and a seat.

Word Web

坐 (Sit) 下 (Down) 椅子 (Chair) 位子 (Seat) 请 (Please) 休息 (Rest) 老师 (Teacher) 家 (Home)

Desafío

Try to say '请坐下' every time you see a chair today. Even if you're alone, whisper it to yourself before you sit.

Origen de la palabra

The character '坐' (zuò) is an ideogram representing two people (从) sitting on the ground or soil (土). In ancient times, people sat on mats on the floor, which is why the 'soil' radical is at the bottom. The addition of '下' (xià) occurred later as Chinese grammar developed directional complements to clarify movement.

Significado original: To sit on the ground; to take a position.

Sino-Tibetan

Contexto cultural

Avoid using '坐下' as a loud command to adults you don't know, as it can sound condescending. Use '请坐' instead.

In English, 'Sit down' can sometimes sound abrupt or like a command to a pet. In Chinese, '坐下' is more neutral but still benefits from '请' (please).

The phrase '请坐，请上坐，请香茶' - A famous story about a monk who treated people differently based on their status. Confucian Analects: References to proper sitting posture as a reflection of inner character. Modern Mandopop songs often use '坐下' to describe a moment of reflection or heartbreak.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

At a friend's house

请坐下。
别客气，快坐下。
坐下喝点什么？
坐下聊会儿。

In a classroom

同学们请坐下。
坐下开始上课。
没写完的不能坐下。
请坐下听讲。

Public transport

这里有位子，你坐下吧。
老人家，您请坐下。
我可以坐下吗？
还没到站，先坐下。

A restaurant

请在这边坐下。
四个人能坐下吗？
坐下看菜单。
等位子坐下。

Doctor's office

请坐下，我帮你检查。
坐下别动。
请先在外面坐下等。
慢慢坐下，别着急。

Inicios de conversación

"这里没人，你可以坐下。"

"请坐下，你想喝咖啡还是茶？"

"我们坐下谈谈明天的旅行计划吧。"

"你累了吗？要不要坐下休息一下？"

"快坐下，这个电影非常精彩！"

Temas para diario

描述一次你在公共汽车上给别人让座，并请他坐下的经历。

当你感到压力很大时，你会选择在哪里坐下静静思考？

写一个关于老师和学生在课堂上因为‘坐下’而发生的有趣小故事。

如果让你设计一把全世界最舒服的椅子，你会请谁第一个坐下？

‘坐下’这个动作在你的文化中有什么特别的礼仪吗？请用中文描述。

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

On its own, it can be quite direct. To make it polite, you should always add '请' (qǐng) to make it '请坐下'. In very formal settings, '请坐' is even better.

No, that's a common mistake. You should say '坐在椅子上' (sitting on the chair) or '在椅子上坐下' (sit down on the chair). The location comes before the verb.

They are very similar. '坐下' is the basic action. '坐下来' often implies a more deliberate 'settling down' to do something, like having a long talk or starting a task.

You simply say '坐下!' (Zuò xià!). This is the standard command for pets.

Yes, it's used for animals. It's not usually used for inanimate objects unless they are being personified in literature.

Yes, you add '了' (le) after it: '他坐下了' (He sat down/He has sat down).

It's a bit too informal for an email. Use '就座' or '入座' if you are giving instructions for a formal event.

Yes, both are 4th tone (falling). It sounds very firm: ZUÒ XIÀ.

Use '坐一下' (zuò yīxià) or '坐会儿' (zuò huìr). This sounds much friendlier and less like a command.

No, it doesn't have that slang meaning in Chinese. It's almost always literal.

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