---
title: "Xiashou Meaning: 下手 (xiàshǒu) Means “to start”"
description: "下手 (xiàshǒu) means “to start; to set about; to make a move”. Hear its tones, see what 下 and 手 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/xiashou"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 下手 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

下手 xiàshǒu

## to start; to set about; to make a move

## It can also mean

- assistant; helper (as in 打下手)
- lower seat; seat on the right
- (slang) to buy; to go for it (when shopping)

## Its characters

1. 下 xià down
2. 手 shǒu hand

## In a sentence

这件事太复杂，我不知道从哪儿下手。 This matter is so complicated that I don't know where to start.

那人又低声说：“蔡、张二位都督说，一时还没有机会**下手**……”后面的话便听不清了。

From [蒋干盗书 · Jiang Gan Steals a Letter](https://mandarinthewild.com/library/read/jiang-gan-steals-a-letter-three-kingdoms-advanced-chinese-12#library-word-745-747)

[More about 下手](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E4%B8%8B%E6%89%8B)

## More words with 下 or 手

- [把手 bǎshou](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/bashou)
- [当下 dāngxià](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/dangxia)
- [地下 dìxià](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/dixia)
- [动手 dòngshǒu](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/dongshou)
- [对手 duìshǒu](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/duishou)
- [剁手 duòshǒu](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/duoshou)
- [二手 èrshǒu](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/ershou)
- [分手 fēnshǒu](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/fenshou)
- [高手 gāoshǒu](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/gaoshou)
- [歌手 gēshǒu](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/geshou)

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