V下 · V下来
write, copy, learn something down so it stays · leave behind, hand down · come to a stop
Structure
动词 + 下／下来 （+ 宾语）
What it means
After a verb, 下 or 下来 means the result stays put: fixed on paper or in memory, left behind or handed down, or coming to rest.
How it is built
Verb + 下／下来 (+ object): 记下来 note down, 背下来 learn by heart, 留下来 stay behind, 停下来 stop: 老师说的话，我都记下来了 (I wrote down everything the teacher said).
When to use it
With 写、记、抄、拍、背 it keeps something; with 留、传 it is left or handed down; with 停、坐、安静 it comes to rest (停下来, h3-13). The object follows 下 (写下了这首诗) or goes first with 把 (把这首诗背下来).
Watch out
Don’t swap in 起来: 把电话号码记下来 means “write the number down”, but 记起来 means “remember it again”.
Examples
老师说的话，我都记下来了。
I wrote down everything the teacher said.
她把这首诗抄了下来，贴在墙上。
She copied the poem out and stuck it on the wall.
李白写下了很多关于月亮的诗。
Li Bai wrote many poems about the moon.
车慢慢停了下来。
The car slowly came to a stop.
Learn this in HSK 4 · Lesson 26: 回忆童年 (Memories and a Tang poem)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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