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A2 verb #4,000 most common 12 min read

脱下

tuoxia Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 脱下 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 脱下 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '脱下' (tuō xià) means 'to take off' clothes or shoes. It is the opposite of '穿上' (chuān shàng - to put on). At this stage, focus on simple sentences like '我脱下大衣' (I take off my coat) or '请脱鞋' (Please take off shoes). You will mostly hear this in very practical situations, like entering a house or getting ready for bed. The grammar is simple: Subject + 脱下 + Object. Don't worry too much about the '下' yet; just remember it as a fixed phrase for removing clothing. Think of it as a single action word. You might also see it in picture books or basic greeting dialogues where someone arrives at a home. It's an essential survival word for living in a Chinese-speaking environment where removing shoes is mandatory.

At the A2 level, you begin to understand that '脱下' is a 'verb + resultative complement' structure. The '脱' is the action of peeling or shedding, and '下' indicates the result—the item is now off and down. You should start using the '把' (bǎ) construction, which is very common with this word: '把你的外套脱下来' (Take your coat off). Notice the addition of '来' (lái) which makes the movement feel more complete and natural in spoken Chinese. You will use this word to describe your daily routine, talk about the weather (e.g., '天气热了，我脱下了毛衣' - It got hot, so I took off my sweater), and follow basic instructions in shops or clinics. You should also be able to distinguish '脱下' from '摘下' (used for glasses and hats), though '脱下' is still often used for hats at this level without much confusion.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '脱下' in more complex sentence structures and varied contexts. You will encounter it in stories and news reports. You should understand the nuance between '脱下' (focus on the downward movement/completion) and '脱掉' (focus on the removal/discarding). You will also learn to use it in the potential complement form: '脱得下' (can take off) or '脱不下' (cannot take off, perhaps because it's too tight). For example, '这双鞋太紧了，我脱不下来' (These shoes are too tight, I can't get them off). You should also be aware of the social etiquette surrounding the word—knowing when it's culturally expected to '脱下' certain items (like shoes in a home or hats in a temple) and being able to explain these customs using the word.

At the B2 level, you move into metaphorical and more formal uses of '脱下'. You will see it in literature to describe a character 'shedding' an identity or a state of being. For example, '脱下学生装，走向社会' (Shedding the student uniform and entering society). You should be able to use it in passive sentences and as a modifier: '脱下的衣服堆在地上' (The clothes that were taken off are piled on the floor). Your vocabulary should also include synonyms like '卸下' (for burdens) and '解下' (for tied items), and you should know exactly when to use '脱下' versus these more specific terms. You will also encounter '脱' in more technical terms like '脱水' (dehydration/spin-dry) or '脱发' (hair loss), helping you see the 'shedding/leaving' root of the character.

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the stylistic choices between '脱下', '脱去', and '脱落'. '脱去' (tuō qù) often appears in formal writing or poetry to describe a more abstract or graceful removal. You will also encounter '脱下' in classical-style modern prose. You should be able to discuss the etymology of the character '脱' (the flesh radical and its relation to skinning) and how this history informs its modern usage. At this level, you might use the word in socio-political discussions, such as '脱下贫困的帽子' (taking off the 'hat' of poverty—a common Chinese idiom for escaping poverty). You should be able to use the word with precision in high-level writing to create specific imagery, understanding how the choice of '下' vs '去' vs '掉' changes the 'flavor' of the sentence.

At the C2 level, '脱下' becomes a tool for philosophical and highly nuanced expression. You will encounter it in Zen Buddhist or Taoist texts (or modern interpretations thereof) to describe the 'shedding' of the physical self or worldly desires ('脱下凡胎'). You should be able to analyze how the word is used in contemporary media to frame cultural shifts—for example, a generation '脱下' traditional values. You will have a complete grasp of all resultative and directional variations, and you can use the word in wordplay or sophisticated puns. Your understanding includes the most obscure collocations and the ability to use the word in any register, from the most colloquial street slang to the most refined academic or literary discourse, with perfect native-level intuition.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

脱下 in 30 Seconds

脱下 (tuō xià) is the standard Chinese verb for taking off clothing, shoes, and socks, emphasizing the completion of the action.
It uses the 'flesh' radical, hinting at its historical meaning of shedding skin, making it specific to items worn on the body.
Grammatically, it often appears with '了' for past actions or in '把' sentences with the directional complement '下来' for natural speech.
Be careful not to use it for accessories like glasses or watches, where '摘下' (zhāixià) is the correct and more natural choice.

The compound verb 脱下 (tuō xià) is a fundamental part of daily Mandarin Chinese, primarily used to describe the physical act of removing items worn on the body. It consists of the character 脱 (tuō), which means to shed, peel, or escape, and the directional complement 下 (xià), which indicates a downward movement or the completion of an action. Together, they form a resultative verb construction that specifies not just the attempt to take something off, but the successful removal of it.

Primary Application: The most common objects associated with this verb are clothing (衣服 yīfu), shoes (鞋子 xiézi), hats (帽子 màozi), and socks (袜子 wàzi). In a broader sense, it applies to anything that 'wraps' or 'clings' to the body or an object, such as a coat of paint or a protective layer, though the latter is more technical.

请在进入房间前脱下鞋子。(Please take off your shoes before entering the room.)

Linguistically, '脱下' is highly versatile. While it is a simple A2-level word, its nuances expand as you reach higher proficiency. For instance, in literary contexts, '脱下' can be used metaphorically to describe shedding a burden, a disguise, or an old identity. However, for everyday learners, mastering its use with physical attire is the priority. It is important to distinguish it from '拿走' (názǒu), which means to take something away from a location, whereas '脱下' specifically implies the separation of an item from a person's body.

Grammatical Structure: The word follows the 'Verb + Resultative Complement' pattern. The '下' ensures the listener knows the action reached a state of completion—the item is now off. You will often see it in the '把' (bǎ) construction: '把你脏的衣服脱下来' (Take off your dirty clothes).

他脱下厚厚的外套，坐在沙发上休息。(He took off his thick coat and sat on the sofa to rest.)

In social settings, you might hear this word at a doctor's office ('请脱下上衣' - Please remove your shirt) or during a security check at an airport. It is a neutral word, neither overly formal nor slangy, making it safe to use in almost any environment. Understanding the radical of '脱'—which is the 'flesh' radical (⺼)—helps learners remember that this action is intimately related to the body. Historically, '脱' referred to the skinning of animals or the peeling of fruit, which evolved into the modern meaning of removing clothing.

Visualizing the Action: Imagine a snake shedding its skin. This is the essence of '脱'. When you add '下', you are emphasizing the transition from being 'on' to being 'off' and 'down'. This is why we use '下' (down) rather than '出' (out) or '开' (away) for clothing.

运动员在比赛结束后脱下了汗湿的球衣。(The athlete took off the sweat-soaked jersey after the game.)

Using 脱下 (tuō xià) correctly requires an understanding of basic Chinese sentence patterns, specifically how verbs interact with objects and resultative complements. At its simplest, the word acts as a transitive verb phrase. However, because it describes a change in state, it frequently appears in complex structures like the '把' (bǎ) sentence or with the particle '了' (le) to indicate past action.

Pattern 1: Basic S-V-O: The most straightforward way to use the word is [Subject] + [脱下] + [Object]. This is common in descriptions. Example: '我脱下鞋子' (I take off my shoes). Adding '了' after the phrase makes it past tense: '我脱下了鞋子'.

她回到家后第一件事就是脱下高跟鞋。(The first thing she does after returning home is take off her high heels.)

When you want to emphasize the object being handled, or when giving a command, the '把' construction is preferred. The structure is [Subject] + [把] + [Object] + [脱下来]. Note the addition of '来' (lái) here; '下来' acts as a compound directional complement, making the sentence sound more natural and complete in spoken Mandarin.

Pattern 2: The '把' Construction: [把] + [Clothing] + [脱下来]. This is the standard way a parent might speak to a child: '把你湿透的衣服脱下来' (Take off your soaked clothes). It emphasizes the disposal or removal of the specific item.

医生叫我把外衣脱下来。(The doctor told me to take off my coat.)

Another advanced use involves the word appearing in a passive sense or as part of a descriptive clause. For example, '脱下的衣服' means 'the clothes that have been taken off'. This allows the verb to function as an adjective modifying a noun. In more formal or poetic Chinese, '脱下' can be replaced by '解下' (jiěxià) for things that are tied, like a belt or a robe, but '脱下' remains the most versatile choice for general removal.

Pattern 3: Sequence of Actions: [Action 1: 脱下] + [Action 2: 放到/换上]. Example: '他脱下帽子放到桌上' (He took off his hat and put it on the table). This shows the fluid movement of daily life.

请脱下你的手套再握手。(Please take off your gloves before shaking hands.)

In summary, whether you are using a simple S-V-O structure or the more complex '把' construction, '脱下' is the key verb for the transition from dressed to undressed. Its placement is usually before the object, but with resultative or directional complements, the object can be sandwiched in the middle (e.g., 脱下衣服来 vs 把衣服脱下来). Mastering these variations will make your Chinese sound significantly more authentic.

You will encounter 脱下 (tuō xià) in a wide variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from the mundane domestic life to formal institutional requirements. Understanding these contexts helps you anticipate when the word might be used and how to respond appropriately. It is a word that bridges the gap between basic survival Chinese and more descriptive, expressive language.

Scenario 1: At Home and Social Visits: In many Asian cultures, including China, it is customary to remove your shoes before entering a home. You will frequently hear a host say, '请脱下鞋子，换上拖鞋' (Please take off your shoes and change into slippers). This is perhaps the most common auditory encounter with the word for any expat or traveler.

进屋请脱下鞋子，谢谢配合。(Please take off your shoes when entering, thank you for your cooperation.)

In medical contexts, '脱下' is a standard instruction. Whether you are getting an X-ray, a physical examination, or a massage, the practitioner will use this verb to tell you which garments to remove. '请脱下上衣' (Please take off your shirt) or '脱下袜子' (Take off your socks) are common phrases. The tone here is usually polite but direct, often followed by '放在这里' (put it here).

Scenario 2: Travel and Security: If you are traveling through Chinese airports or high-speed train stations, security personnel may instruct you to remove specific items for scanning. You might hear: '请脱下外套和皮带' (Please take off your coat and belt). In this high-pressure environment, the word is often used in short, clipped sentences.

安检时，请脱下您的厚外套。(During security check, please take off your thick coat.)

Beyond physical actions, you will hear '脱下' in movies, TV dramas, and literature to signify a change in character. A character might '脱下西装' (take off a suit) to represent leaving a corporate life, or '脱下伪装' (take off a disguise/mask) to reveal their true self. This metaphorical usage is common in storytelling to symbolize vulnerability or the shedding of societal expectations. For example, '他终于脱下了虚伪的面具' (He finally took off his hypocritical mask).

Scenario 3: Fashion and Shopping: In a clothing store fitting room, a shop assistant might ask if you have finished trying something on: '这件衣服您可以脱下来给我' (You can take this piece off and give it to me). Or, if you are trying on shoes, they might say '脱下您自己的鞋子，试试这双' (Take off your own shoes and try this pair).

如果你觉得这件衣服太紧，就快点脱下来吧。(If you feel this garment is too tight, take it off quickly.)

Finally, in sports, coaches might tell players to '脱下训练服' (take off training gear) before a match starts. In all these cases, the word '脱下' serves as a clear, functional instruction or description of a physical transition. Listening for the 'tuō' sound followed by the falling 'xià' will help you navigate these everyday Chinese interactions with confidence.

While 脱下 (tuō xià) seems simple, English speakers and other learners often make several predictable errors. These usually stem from direct translation from English or a misunderstanding of how resultative complements work in Chinese. By identifying these pitfalls, you can ensure your speech sounds more natural and grammatically correct.

Mistake 1: Using the wrong verb for accessories: In English, we 'take off' almost everything—clothes, glasses, watches, rings, and hats. In Chinese, '脱下' is primarily for items you 'step into' or 'pull over' your body (clothes, shoes, socks). For items like glasses (眼镜 yǎnjìng), watches (手表 shǒubiǎo), or jewelry, the correct verb is 摘下 (zhāixià). Saying '脱下眼镜' sounds like you are trying to peel your glasses off like skin.

Incorrect: 他脱下了眼镜。
Correct: 他摘下了眼镜。(He took off his glasses.)

Another common error involves the word order when using the directional complement '下来' (xià lái). Learners often place the object at the very end, like '脱下来衣服', which is grammatically awkward. The object should either come between '脱下' and '来', or the '把' construction should be used. '脱下衣服来' or '把衣服脱下来' are both correct, but '脱下来衣服' is a common learner mistake.

Mistake 2: Confusing '脱下' with '去掉': Learners sometimes use '脱下' to mean 'remove' in a general sense, such as removing a sticker from a wall or a lid from a jar. For these actions, 去掉 (qùdiào) or 拿掉 (nádiào) is appropriate. '脱下' is strictly reserved for the body-clothing relationship or very specific metaphorical 'coverings'.

Incorrect: 请把盖子脱下。
Correct: 请把盖子拿掉。(Please take off the lid.)

There is also the issue of formality. In very formal written Chinese, '脱下' might be replaced by '脱去' (tuō qù). While not a 'mistake' per se, using '脱下' in a highly formal literary poem might feel a bit too 'daily life'. Conversely, using '脱去' when talking to your kids might sound a bit stiff. However, for 95% of situations, '脱下' is the perfect choice.

Mistake 3: Overusing '脱' for 'taking off' transportation: In English, we 'get off' a bus. Some learners confuse 'take off' (clothing) with 'get off' (transportation) and try to use '脱下' for a bus or train. The correct verb for getting off transportation is 下车 (xià chē). '脱下公交车' would literally mean you are trying to peel the bus off your body!

Incorrect: 我在下一站脱下。
Correct: 我在下一站下车。(I get off at the next stop.)

Finally, watch out for the negative form. To say 'don't take off', use '别脱' (bié tuō) or '不要脱下' (bú yào tuō xià). A common error is placing the '不' in the wrong spot, such as '脱不下', which actually means 'cannot take off' (e.g., because the clothes are too tight), rather than 'don't take off'. Understanding these subtle distinctions in resultative potential constructions will help you avoid miscommunication.

Mandarin has a precise vocabulary for the act of removing items. While 脱下 (tuō xià) is the general term for clothing, several other words are used depending on the object, the method of removal, or the level of formality. Knowing these alternatives will help you sound more like a native speaker and understand more complex texts.

1. 摘下 (zhāi xià): This is the primary alternative for accessories. '摘' (zhāi) originally means to pick (like fruit from a tree). It is used for things that are clipped, hung, or perched on the body. Common objects: Glasses (眼镜), hats (帽子 - though 脱下 is also used), jewelry (首饰), masks (口罩), and watches (手表).

进屋后，他摘下了墨镜。(After entering the room, he took off his sunglasses.)

In contrast, '脱下' is for items that involve a 'wrapping' or 'sleeving' action. Shoes are always '脱下', never '摘下'. Hats are a unique middle ground: you can '摘下' a hat (picking it off your head) or '脱下' a hat (removing it as part of your outfit), though '摘' is slightly more common for the physical act.

2. 卸下 (xiè xià): '卸' (xiè) means to unload or dismantle. This word is used for heavy equipment, armor, or metaphorical burdens. You wouldn't '卸下' a T-shirt, but a soldier might '卸下' their heavy pack or armor. Metaphorically, it is very common: '卸下心理负担' (to shed a psychological burden).

他终于卸下了肩上的重担。(He finally laid down the heavy burden on his shoulders.)

Another interesting word is 脱掉 (tuō diào). The complement '掉' (diào) emphasizes the 'getting rid of' or 'discarding' aspect more than '下' (down). While often interchangeable with '脱下' in casual speech, '脱掉' carries a slightly more vigorous or complete tone. For example, '脱掉你的坏习惯' (get rid of your bad habits) uses '脱掉' to emphasize the total removal.

3. 解下 (jiě xià): '解' (jiě) means to untie or undo. This is used for things that are fastened with strings, buttons, or belts. You might '解下领带' (untie/take off a tie) or '解下围裙' (take off an apron). It focuses on the act of unfastening.

她解下了腰间的红绸带。(She untied the red silk ribbon from her waist.)

In summary, while '脱下' is your go-to verb for most clothing, pay attention to the physical nature of the object. Is it something you step out of (shoes -> 脱下)? Is it something you unfasten (belt -> 解下)? Is it something you pick off (glasses -> 摘下)? Is it a heavy load (backpack -> 卸下)? Mastering these distinctions will elevate your Chinese from 'understandable' to 'sophisticated'.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The radical for 'flesh' (⺼) is often confused with the 'moon' radical (月) because they look identical in modern script. However, most words related to the body, like 脸 (face), 腿 (leg), and 脱 (take off), use the flesh radical.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tuɔː ʃjɑː/

US /twoʊ ʃjɑː/

In Mandarin, stress is usually equal on both syllables, but the tones are crucial. 'Tuō' is 1st tone (high level), and 'Xià' is 4th tone (sharp falling).

Rhymes With

脱 (tuō) rhymes with: 说 (shuō), 多 (duō), 波 (bō), 拖 (tuō), 锅 (guō). 下 (xià) rhymes with: 画 (huà), 话 (huà), 骂 (mà), 怕 (pà), 跨 (kuà).

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'tuo' like 'too' (missing the 'o' sound).
Pronouncing 'xia' like 'zee-ah' instead of the soft 'sh' hiss.
Confusing the 4th tone of 'xia' with a 2nd or 3rd tone.
Failing to aspirate the 't' in 'tuo'.
Merging the two syllables into one blurred sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are relatively simple, especially '下'. '脱' has a common radical.

Writing 3/5

Writing '脱' requires attention to the right-side strokes (兑).

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but tones (1st and 4th) must be distinct.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in daily life, easy to recognize in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

衣服 (yīfu) 鞋子 (xiézi) 穿 (chuān) 下 (xià) 了 (le)

Learn Next

摘下 (zhāixià) 换上 (huànshàng) 脱掉 (tuōdiào) 把字句 (bǎ sentence) 结果补语 (resultative complements)

Advanced

脱胎换骨 (tuōtāihuàngǔ) 解脱 (jiětuō) 剥落 (bōluò) 蜕变 (tuìbiàn)

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements

脱 (action) + 下 (result) = successfully removed.

The 'Ba' Construction

把 + 衣服 + 脱下 + 来.

Directional Complements

下来 (xià lái) indicates movement towards the speaker.

Potential Complements

脱得下 (can take off) vs 脱不下 (cannot take off).

Verb Reduplication

脱下脱下 (not common, usually just 脱脱看 - try taking it off).

Examples by Level

我脱下鞋子。

I take off my shoes.

Subject + Verb + Object.

请脱下大衣。

Please take off your coat.

Polite command using 请 (qǐng).

他脱下帽子。

He takes off his hat.

Simple SVO structure.

我要脱下袜子。

I want to take off my socks.

Using 要 (yào) to express intent.

小猫脱下了毛。

The kitten shed its fur.

Using 了 (le) for completed action.

你在脱下衣服吗？

Are you taking off your clothes?

Question form with 吗 (ma).

不要脱下毛衣，外面冷。

Don't take off your sweater, it's cold outside.

Negative command with 不要 (bú yào).

我脱下裤子去洗澡。

I take off my pants to take a shower.

Sequential actions.

把你脏的衣服脱下来。

Take off your dirty clothes.

把 (bǎ) construction with directional complement 下来 (xià lái).

医生让我脱下上衣。

The doctor asked me to take off my shirt.

Request/command structure.

天气太热了，他脱下了外套。

The weather is too hot, so he took off his coat.

Cause and effect sentence.

进房间以前要脱下鞋。

You must take off your shoes before entering the room.

Condition using 以前 (yǐqián).

她脱下红色的裙子。

She took off the red dress.

Adjective modifying the noun.

请脱下您的手套。

Please take off your gloves.

Polite request.

他脱下湿衣服，换了干的。

He took off the wet clothes and changed into dry ones.

Contrast between wet and dry.

我刚脱下鞋，电话就响了。

I had just taken off my shoes when the phone rang.

刚...就... (just... then...) structure.

这双靴子太紧，我脱不下来。

These boots are too tight, I can't get them off.

Potential complement 脱不下 (tuō bù xià).

他脱下沉重的背包，坐下来休息。

He took off the heavy backpack and sat down to rest.

Descriptive adjective 沉重 (chénzhòng).

如果你觉得不舒服，可以把口罩脱下来。

If you feel uncomfortable, you can take off the mask.

Hypothetical 'if' sentence with 如果 (rúguǒ).

进入寺庙时，请脱下帽子以示尊重。

When entering a temple, please take off your hat to show respect.

Purpose clause with 以示 (yǐshì).

他脱下那件旧毛衣，扔进了垃圾桶。

He took off that old sweater and threw it into the trash can.

Sequential actions with 扔 (rēng).

我脱下衣服后发现身上有个红点。

After taking off my clothes, I found a red spot on my body.

Time clause using ...后 (...hòu).

请大家脱下外套，准备开始检查。

Please everyone take off your coats and prepare for the inspection.

Address to a group 大家 (dàjiā).

他甚至没脱下鞋就躺在床上睡着了。

He even fell asleep on the bed without taking off his shoes.

甚至 (shènzhì) for emphasis.

演员脱下戏服，回到了现实生活。

The actor took off the costume and returned to real life.

Juxtaposition of stage vs. reality.

直到天黑，他才脱下那身湿透的潜水服。

Not until it was dark did he take off that soaked wetsuit.

直到...才... (not until... then...) structure.

他脱下了平日里严肃的伪装，露出了笑容。

He took off his usual serious disguise and revealed a smile.

Metaphorical use of 'disguise' (伪装).

请把脱下的衣服分类放进洗衣机里。

Please sort the clothes you've taken off and put them in the washing machine.

Using '脱下的' as a noun modifier.

在这一刻，他脱下了所有的防备。

In this moment, he let down all his guards.

Abstract object 'guards/defenses' (防备).

他脱下衬衫，露出了结实的肌肉。

He took off his shirt, revealing firm muscles.

Resultative clause with 露出 (lùchū).

你必须脱下这层厚厚的壳才能成长。

You must shed this thick shell to grow.

Metaphorical use for personal growth.

他由于太累，连衣服都没脱下就睡了。

Because he was too tired, he went to sleep without even taking off his clothes.

连...都... (even... also...) structure.

他脱下那身象征身份的西装，穿上了简朴的布衣。

He took off the suit that symbolized his status and put on simple cotton clothes.

Complex modifiers for the object.

唯有脱下偏见的眼镜，才能看清世界的真相。

Only by taking off the glasses of prejudice can one see the truth of the world.

Philosophical metaphor using 'glasses of prejudice'.

她轻轻脱下丝绸手套，动作优雅而缓慢。

She gently took off her silk gloves, her movements elegant and slow.

Adverbial phrases describing the manner of action.

在这个喧嚣的城市里，他渴望脱下疲惫，寻找宁静。

In this noisy city, he longs to shed his exhaustion and find peace.

Using an abstract noun 'exhaustion' as the object.

运动员脱下汗水浸透的战袍，宣告了职业生涯的结束。

The athlete took off the sweat-soaked 'battle robe' (jersey), announcing the end of their career.

Literary term '战袍' (zhànpáo) for jersey.

随着春天的到来，大地脱下了银装，换上了绿衣。

With the arrival of spring, the earth shed its silver attire (snow) and put on a green coat.

Personification of the earth.

他无法脱下过去的阴影，始终活在痛苦之中。

He could not shed the shadow of the past and always lived in pain.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

请在更衣室脱下您的衣物，并换上我们提供的浴袍。

Please remove your clothing in the changing room and change into the bathrobe we provide.

Formal instructional language.

他在禅修中力求脱下‘我执’的枷锁，达到超脱的境界。

In meditation, he strove to shed the shackles of 'ego-attachment' to reach a state of transcendence.

Buddhist terminology '我执' (wǒzhí).

这部小说描述了一个人如何脱下社会赋予的重重面具。

The novel describes how a person sheds the multiple masks bestowed upon them by society.

Literary analysis of identity.

历史的巨轮滚滚向前，某些旧时代的传统终将被脱下。

The great wheel of history rolls forward, and certain traditions of the old era will eventually be cast off.

Metaphorical use of 'casting off' traditions.

他试图脱下身上那股挥之不去的市侩气息。

He tried to shed that lingering aura of philistinism.

Abstract noun '市侩气息' (shìkuài qìxī).

当他脱下那身权力外衣时，才发现自己其实一无所有。

When he took off that 'cloak of power', he realized he actually had nothing.

Metaphorical 'cloak of power'.

诗人以‘脱下落叶’来隐喻树木对季节轮回的顺应。

The poet uses 'shedding fallen leaves' as a metaphor for trees' compliance with the cycle of seasons.

Literary metaphor analysis.

在死亡面前，众生都不得不脱下这具皮囊。

In the face of death, all living beings must shed this physical shell (body).

Spiritual/Philosophical use of '皮囊' (pínáng).

他那脱下伪善后的真实嘴脸令人感到不寒而栗。

His true face, after shedding the hypocrisy, makes one shudder.

Highly descriptive and emotional language.

Common Collocations

脱下外套

脱下鞋子

脱下袜子

脱下衣服

脱下帽子

脱下手套

把衣服脱下来

脱下伪装

脱下制服

脱下口罩

Common Phrases

脱下马甲

— Literally 'take off the vest'. In internet slang, it means to reveal one's true identity or use a real account instead of an anonymous one.

你以为脱下马甲我就不认识你了？

脱下军装

— To leave the military or retire from service.

脱下军装后，他成了一名警察。

脱下贫困帽

— To be officially removed from the list of poverty-stricken areas or individuals.

这个村子终于脱下了贫困帽。

脱下学生装

— To graduate and enter the workforce.

脱下学生装，他开始了职业生涯。

脱下救生衣

— To remove a life jacket after reaching safety.

船靠岸后，大家脱下了救生衣。

脱下防护服

— To remove protective gear (common in medical or hazardous contexts).

医生在离开病房前脱下了防护服。

脱下白大褂

— To stop working as a doctor (literally 'take off the white coat').

退休后，他脱下了白大褂。

脱下湿衣服

— To remove wet clothing to avoid getting sick.

快去脱下湿衣服，别感冒了。

脱下沉重的外壳

— To shed a hard exterior or protective emotional layer.

她慢慢脱下了沉重的外壳，变得开朗了。

脱下西装革履

— To take off formal business attire (suit and leather shoes) to relax.

回到家，他脱下西装革履，换上了便装。

Often Confused With

脱下 vs 摘下

Used for accessories (glasses, hats), while 脱下 is for clothing/shoes.

脱下 vs 卸下

Used for heavy loads or armor, while 脱下 is for regular clothing.

脱下 vs 去掉

Used for removing things from surfaces (stickers, lids), while 脱下 is for the body.

Idioms & Expressions

"脱胎换骨"

— To undergo a complete transformation (literally 'shed the old fetus and change the bones').

经过三年的努力，他已经脱胎换骨了。

Formal/Literary

"脱颖而出"

— To stand out from the crowd (literally 'the point of an awl sticking out of a bag').

他在比赛中脱颖而出。

Neutral

"金蝉脱壳"

— To escape by a clever stratagem, leaving behind a false appearance (literally 'the cicada sheds its skin').

小偷用金蝉脱壳之计逃跑了。

Literary

"脱口而出"

— To say something without thinking; to blurt out.

他脱口而出说出了真相。

Neutral

"脱僵之马"

— A horse that has broken its tether; someone who is out of control.

他现在就像一匹脱僵之马，没人管得了。

Literary

"离题万里"

— To get completely off the subject (related to '脱离' - to break away).

他的发言离题万里。

Informal

"脱略形骸"

— To be unconstrained by convention; to act naturally without regard for appearances.

他生性脱略形骸，不拘小节。

Archaic

"脱手而出"

— To slip out of one's hand.

球脱手而出，飞向了观众席。

Neutral

"脱贫致富"

— To lift oneself out of poverty and become prosperous.

政府帮助村民脱贫致富。

Formal

"脱俗不凡"

— Refined and outstanding; transcending the mundane.

她的气质脱俗不凡。

Literary

Easily Confused

脱下 vs 脱离

Both start with '脱'.

'脱下' is physical (clothing); '脱离' is abstract (breaking away from a group or reality).

他脱离了危险。 (He is out of danger.)

脱下 vs 脱落

Both imply something coming off.

'脱下' is an intentional act; '脱落' is a natural or accidental process (like hair or teeth falling out).

墙上的油漆脱落了。 (The paint on the wall is peeling.)

脱下 vs 脱销

Contains '脱'.

'脱销' means a product is sold out.

这种书已经脱销了。 (This book is out of stock.)

脱下 vs 下车

Both use '下'.

'下车' is for vehicles; '脱下' is for clothing.

我在下一站下车。

脱下 vs 放下

Both use '下'.

'放下' means to put something down from your hand; '脱下' means to remove from your body.

放下手中的书。 (Put down the book in your hand.)

Sentence Patterns

我脱下 + [Clothing].

我脱下大衣。

请脱下 + [Clothing].

请脱下鞋子。

把 + [Clothing] + 脱下来。

把外套脱下来。

[Clothing] + 太紧，脱不下。

裤子太紧，脱不下。

脱下 + [Clothing] + 以后，...

脱下鞋子以后，我感觉好多了。

脱下 + [Abstract Noun].

脱下虚伪的面具。

不仅脱下...还...

他不仅脱下了外套，还脱下了帽子。

以...为契机脱下...

以这次失败为契机脱下了骄傲的包袱。

Word Family

Nouns

脱发 (tuōfà - hair loss)

脱水 (tuōshuǐ - dehydration)

脱产 (tuōchǎn - being released from regular work for study)

Verbs

脱离 (tuōlí - break away from)

脱落 (tuōluò - fall off/shed)

脱销 (tuōxiāo - run out of stock)

脱罪 (tuōzuì - exonerate oneself)

Adjectives

脱俗 (tuōsú - refined/unworldly)

脱空 (tuōkōng - empty/unreliable)

脱节 (tuōjié - out of joint/disconnected)

穿 (chuān)

戴 (dài)

摘 (zhāi)

卸 (xiè)

解 (jiě)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, especially in East Asian household contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using '脱下' for glasses. → 摘下眼镜 (zhāixià yǎnjìng).
Glasses are accessories that you 'pick off' your face, not garments you step into or pull over your body.
Saying '脱下来衣服'. → 把衣服脱下来 or 脱下衣服来.
In Chinese, the object should not be placed after the full directional complement '下来'. It should be 'sandwiched' or used with '把'.
Using '脱下' to get off a bus. → 下车 (xià chē).
English uses 'take off' for clothes and 'get off' for buses. Chinese uses different verbs: '脱下' for clothes and '下' for vehicles.
Using '脱下' for a sticker. → 撕掉 (sīdiào).
'脱下' is for body-worn items. For things that are stuck on, use '撕' (tear) or '揭' (peel).
Forgetting the resultative complement in descriptions. → 他脱下了外套 (He took off his coat).
Just saying '他脱外套' sounds like 'He is taking off his coat' (action in progress). Adding '下' or '了' shows the action is finished.

Tips

Use with '把'

To sound like a pro, use the '把' construction: '把鞋脱了' (bǎ xié tuō le). It's the most common way to give this instruction at home.

Entrance Etiquette

Always look for a shoe rack (鞋架 xiéjià) near the door. If you see one, it's a signal to '脱下鞋子' immediately.

The Accessory Rule

Remember: Clothes/Shoes = 脱 (tuō). Glasses/Hats/Watches = 摘 (zhāi). Don't mix them up!

Tone Mastery

Don't rush the 'tuō'. Keep it high and steady, then drop sharply for 'xià'. 1st tone then 4th tone.

Radical Recognition

The 'flesh' radical (⺼) on the left of '脱' is your best friend for remembering body-related verbs.

Layering

When taking off layers, you can say '脱掉一层' (take off a layer). Useful for hiking or changing weather.

Clinic Chinese

In a hospital, '脱下' is usually followed by '上衣' (shirt) or '外衣' (coat). Listen for these pairs.

Internet ID

If someone tells you to '脱下马甲', they want to know who you really are on a forum or chat.

Metaphorical Shedding

In books, '脱下' often precedes '伪装' (disguise) or '面具' (mask). It signals a turning point for a character.

Urgent Removal

If something is burning or wet, use '脱掉' (tuōdiào) to emphasize the need to get it off immediately.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Tuo' as 'Total Unwrapping' of your body (the flesh radical). 'Xia' is the direction—you pull your clothes 'down' to take them off.

Visual Association

Imagine a snake shedding its skin. The 'flesh' radical on the left of '脱' represents the body, and the right side looks like a person opening their mouth or a gate—releasing the old skin.

Word Web

衣服 (Clothes) 鞋子 (Shoes) 袜子 (Socks) 外套 (Coat) 摘下 (Take off accessories) 穿上 (Put on) 身体 (Body) 皮肤 (Skin)

Challenge

Try to narrate your evening routine in Chinese: '我回到家，脱下鞋子，脱下外套，脱下脏衣服...'

Word Origin

The character 脱 (tuō) is a phono-semantic compound. The left part is the 'flesh' radical (⺼, a variant of 肉 ròu), indicating a connection to the body or skin. The right part 兑 (duì) provides the phonetic component. Historically, it meant to skin an animal or to peel away layers.

Original meaning: To peel off skin or to shed.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using '脱下' in medical contexts to ensure the patient feels comfortable; always use polite particles like '请' (please).

English speakers often say 'take off' for everything. In Chinese, you must specify '脱下' for clothes/shoes and '摘下' for accessories.

The idiom '金蝉脱壳' (The Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell) from the Thirty-Six Stratagems. The Buddhist concept of '脱离苦海' (Escaping the sea of suffering). Modern pop songs often use '脱下' metaphorically to mean being honest or vulnerable.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Entrance

请脱鞋 (Please take off shoes)
脱下鞋子换拖鞋 (Take off shoes and change to slippers)
不用脱鞋 (No need to take off shoes)
在那儿脱下 (Take them off over there)

At the Doctor

请脱下上衣 (Please take off your shirt)
脱下袜子，让我看看你的脚 (Take off your socks, let me see your foot)
需要脱下裤子吗？ (Do I need to take off my pants?)
把外套脱下来 (Take off your coat)

Changing Clothes

脱下湿衣服 (Take off wet clothes)
把脏衣服脱下来洗 (Take off dirty clothes to wash)
脱下旧的，穿上新的 (Take off old ones, put on new ones)
快点脱下 (Take it off quickly)

Airport Security

请脱下皮带 (Please take off your belt)
脱下您的厚外套 (Take off your thick coat)
需要脱下鞋吗？ (Do I need to take off shoes?)
请脱下帽子 (Please take off your hat)

Sports/Gym

脱下训练服 (Take off training clothes)
脱下运动鞋 (Take off sneakers)
脱下护具 (Take off protective gear)
比赛后脱下球衣 (Take off jersey after match)

Conversation Starters

"你在进家门的时候会脱下鞋子吗？ (Do you take off your shoes when entering your home?)"

"如果你去中国人家里做客，你会脱下鞋子吗？ (If you visit a Chinese person's home, will you take off your shoes?)"

"在你的国家，去医院检查需要脱下外套吗？ (In your country, do you need to take off your coat for a hospital checkup?)"

"天气热的时候，你第一件事是脱下什么衣服？ (When it's hot, what's the first thing you take off?)"

"你觉得脱下沉重的工作服后最想做什么？ (What do you want to do most after taking off your heavy work clothes?)"

Journal Prompts

描述你每天回家后的动作，包括你是如何脱下鞋子和外套的。 (Describe your actions after returning home daily, including how you take off shoes and coat.)

写一次你在不该脱下鞋子的地方脱了鞋子的尴尬经历。 (Write about an embarrassing experience when you took off your shoes in a place where you shouldn't have.)

想象你是一个脱下戏装的演员，写下你回到现实生活后的感受。 (Imagine you are an actor taking off a costume; write about your feelings returning to real life.)

论述为什么在有些文化中进屋必须脱下鞋子。 (Discuss why taking off shoes is mandatory in some cultures.)

用比喻的方法，写一写你想‘脱下’的坏习惯或压力。 (Using metaphors, write about bad habits or stress you want to 'shed'.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically, people will understand you, but it's not natural. For a watch, you should use '摘下' (zhāixià) because it's an accessory that is clipped or fastened, not a garment you step into. Native speakers almost always use '摘下' for watches, rings, and glasses.

'脱下' focuses on the movement (down and off), while '脱掉' focuses on the result of the item being gone or discarded. In daily conversation, they are often interchangeable, but '脱掉' feels slightly more casual or emphatic. For example, '快脱掉！' (Take it off quickly!) sounds more urgent than '请脱下' (Please take it off).

Both are correct. '脱下鞋子' is more complete as it includes the resultative complement '下'. '脱鞋子' is a shortened, more casual version often used in commands like '进门请脱鞋' (Please take off shoes when entering).

You use the potential complement: '我脱不下这双鞋' (wǒ tuō bù xià zhè shuāng xié). If you want to sound more natural, add '来': '我脱不下来这双鞋'.

Yes, '脱下口罩' is very common, although '摘下口罩' is also frequently used. Since a mask covers the face similar to how clothes cover the body, both verbs are acceptable, but '摘下' is slightly more precise for the physical action of unhooking it from the ears.

In Chinese grammar, '下' (xià) often acts as a resultative complement indicating that an action has resulted in something being removed, detached, or moved to a lower position. Since clothing is usually pulled down or off towards the floor, '下' is the logical choice.

No, for something sticky like a band-aid or a sticker, you should use '撕掉' (sīdiào - to tear off) or '揭掉' (jiēdiào - to peel off). '脱下' implies a garment rather than an adhesive.

It can be used for animals shedding skin (like a snake) or humans losing hair (though '脱落' is more common for hair). In a literal sense, if you put a sweater on a dog, you would '脱下' the sweater from the dog.

It's better to use '取下' (qǔxià) or '摘下' (zhāixià) for a backpack, or '放下' (fàngxià) if you are putting it on the ground. '脱下' is specifically for items that wrap around or are 'worn' as clothing.

The direct opposite is '穿上' (chuānshàng) for clothes and shoes, or '戴上' (dàishàng) for hats and accessories. Example: '穿上外套' (put on a coat) vs '脱下外套' (take off a coat).