lowness; inferiority
Used to describe a low degree, value, or quality, often in contrast with 上 (じょう). Common in set phrases like 下の下.
This quality is the lowest of the low.
second volume (of two); third volume (of three)
Used in the context of multi-volume works, where 上 is the first volume, 中 is the middle (if three), and 下 is the last. Compare 上 (じょう) and 中 (ちゅう).
This novel is in two volumes, and the second volume will be published next month.
Grades are evaluated on a three-level scale: high, middle, and low.
This novel was published split into two volumes, first and last.
下 read げ is used in fixed terms like 下巻 (last volume) and ranking phrases like 上の下, while 下 read した is the everyday word for 'under' or 'below'.
top and bottom; upper and lower; up and down · rising and falling; fluctuating; going up and down · going and coming back; round trip · upper and lower classes; ruler and ruled; government and people · first and second volumes · top and bottom; two-piece outfit
last third of a month; 21st to the last day
diarrhea
resignation from public office; stepping down · leaving power; going into opposition
vulgar; indecent; coarse; crude
Standard kanji form for this reading; used in compounds and as a bound noun.
The reading げ is the on'yomi of 下, used in compounds and as a bound noun. The meaning 'lowness' is an extension of the spatial sense of 'below'.
reduction; cut; lowering
geta; traditional Japanese wooden sandal · upside-down character; turn (in proofing) · net; geta (go term)
withdrawal; retraction; dropping
descending a mountain; descent
boarding; lodging; room and board · boarding house; lodging house
lower tier; lower step; lower berth; bottom shelf · low stance (in kendo, etc.)
leaving school; going home from school
worn-out rice field; exhausted paddy
sale of government assets; disposal
hang; suspend; dangle
manservant; male servant
base; mean; vulgar; despicable; low
last volume; second volume (of two); third volume (of three)
squid tentacles
laxative; purgative
the earth below; the ground below · this world; the earthly realm
going from the capital to the provinces · returning after praying at a temple or shrine · coming down from a high place to a low place
overthrow of superiors by inferiors; juniors dominating seniors
non-drinker; someone who cannot drink alcohol
low-quality product; strange thing; odd combination
devaluation; markdown; write-down; undercutting