below, underneath; inferior; to bring down; next3 strokes · Radical: 一
下 vs 卞: How to Tell Them Apart
CHARACTERS AT A GLANCE
下xià · below, underneath; inferior; to bring down; next
卞a small dot/slant at the top compared with 下 · biàn · to be impatient; hasty, excitable
01 · SEE THE DIFFERENCE
What changes at the top of each character?
Dark red marks the deciding detail
VS
Play each character and compare the highlighted details.
to be impatient; hasty, excitable
a small dot/slant at the top compared with 下
4 strokes · Radical: 卜Why the difference is easy to miss
下 and 卞 share an outline that is easy to read too quickly.
卞 adds a small dot/slant at the top compared with 下. At a glance, that shared shape can make the extra top mark in 卞 easy to overlook.
Check the shape first, then confirm with the word.
If the surrounding word/meaning conflicts with the character you first recognized, re-check extra top stroke.
Choose the right character.
Which character in 下 / 卞 matches “under, underneath, below”?
Choose one answer.Which character in 下 / 卞 matches “to be impatient, in a hurry”?
Choose one answer.Which character completes □乳?
Choose one answer.How do I tell 下 vs 卞 apart?
卞 adds a small dot/slant at the top compared with 下. Then confirm with meaning/context: 下 (xià) — under, underneath, below | 卞 (biàn) — to be impatient, in a hurry.
What should I check when these characters appear in words?
Use meaning as the second route after visual discrimination: 下 = under, underneath, below; 卞 = to be impatient, in a hurry. If the surrounding word/meaning conflicts with the character you first recognized, re-check extra top stroke.