---
title: "Xiayishi Meaning: 下意识 (xiàyìshí) Means “subconscious”"
description: "下意识 (traditional 下意識, xiàyìshí) means “subconscious; instinctively; without thinking”. Hear its tones and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/xiayishi"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

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

# What does 下意识 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

下意识 xiàyìshí

## subconscious; instinctively; without thinking

## Its characters

1. 下 xià down

## In a sentence

这其实是他的下意识在起作用。 This is actually his subconscious at work.

[More about 下意识](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E4%B8%8B%E6%84%8F%E8%AF%86)

## More words with 下 or 意 or 识

- [不好意思 bùhǎoyìsi](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/buhaoyisi)
- [创意 chuàngyì](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/chuangyi)
- [当下 dāngxià](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/dangxia)
- [地下 dìxià](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/dixia)
- [恶意 èyì](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/eyi)
- [故意 gùyì](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/guyi)
- [介意 jièyì](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/jieyi)
- [乐意 lèyì](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/leyi)
- [零下 língxià](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/lingxia)
- [留下 liúxià](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/liuxia)

## Keep 下意识 for Review

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