A2 Expression 1 min read

请写下来。

qing xie xia lai.

Please write it down.

Meaning

A request for someone to put information in writing.

Practice Bank

3 exercises
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请把你的名字______。

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老师让我们把今天的作业______。

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服务员,麻烦您把我的点餐______。

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🎉 Score: /3

The phrase '请写下来' (qǐng xiě xià lái) in Chinese is a polite request meaning 'please write it down.' Let's break down its components to understand its origin and usage. **请 (qǐng):** This character is a very common and versatile word in Chinese, primarily meaning 'please' or 'to invite.' Its etymology traces back to ancient Chinese, where it was often associated with 'inviting' or 'requesting' in a respectful manner. Over time, its usage evolved to become a general polite marker, preceding verbs to soften commands or make requests more courteous. It imbues the entire phrase with politeness, making it a respectful way to ask someone to perform an action. **写 (xiě):** This character means 'to write.' Its ancient form depicts a hand holding a brush, illustrating its direct connection to the act of writing. The evolution of this character reflects the development of writing systems in China, from early pictograms to more complex ideograms. It is a fundamental verb in Chinese, used in countless contexts related to putting thoughts or information onto a surface. **下来 (xià lái):** This is a directional complement, and its precise meaning can vary depending on the main verb it accompanies. '下 (xià)' generally means 'down,' and '来 (lái)' generally means 'to come.' When used together as '下来' after a verb, it often indicates: 1. **Completion or Result:** It can suggest the successful conclusion of an action, much like 'finish' or 'complete' in English. In the context of writing, it implies that the act of writing is brought to a finished state. 2. **Fixation or Recording:** It can also imply that something is being recorded or put into a stable, fixed form. When you 'write something down,' you are essentially fixing it onto paper or a digital medium, making it tangible and retrievable. This sense of 'setting something down' or 'recording' is particularly relevant here. **Putting it all together:** '请写下来' therefore combines these elements to form a polite request to record information. The '请' makes it a respectful appeal. The '写' clearly indicates the action of writing. The '下来' emphasizes the completion and the act of committing the information to a written form, suggesting a sense of permanence or a desire to have it recorded for future reference. It's not just asking to 'write,' but to 'write it down' in a way that implies a complete and usable record. This phrase is widely used in daily conversation and business settings when one needs to ensure accuracy or remember specific details.

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