lower house; lower chamber
Refers to the lower house of a bicameral legislature, such as the House of Representatives in Japan or the House of Commons in the UK. Often contrasted with 上院 (upper house).
See also: 上院
The lower house in Japan is called the House of Representatives.
The bill was passed in the lower house.
The bill passed the lower house last week.
The lower house approved the budget bill.
上院 is the upper house of a legislature, while 下院 is the lower house.
Compound of 下 (lower) and 院 (institution, house), modeled after Western bicameral legislative terminology.