以下

And Below

Level 3Sounds Like ji5 haa6

Use 以下 (ji5 haa6) after a number or age to set an upper limit (e.g., '18 and below'). In formal writing, it can also mean 'the following' to introduce a list.

How It Works

以下 (ji5 haa6) is a marker used to establish an upper limit on a scale or to refer to subsequent information.

  • The Inclusive Rule: Unlike the English word 'under', 以下 is inclusive. For example, 五十蚊以下 (ng5 sap6 man1 ji5 haa6) means '$50 and below' (≤ 50). To express 'less than' (excluding the number), speakers use 少過 (siu2 gwo3).
  • Scales and Measurements: Use 以下 for any value on a scale, including abstract ones like age or rank, and physical ones like temperature or elevation (e.g., 'below sea level').
  • Word Order: Place the quantity first. 'Under 18' becomes 十八歲以下 (sap6 baat3 seoi3 ji5 haa6).
  • Spatial Position vs. Scales: Do not use 以下 for relative physical positions. 'Under the bed' is 床下面 (cong4 haa6 min6). 以下 is only for the measurement itself.
  • Referring to Text: In formal or written contexts, 以下 means 'the following'. For example: 以下係我嘅建議 (ji5 haa6 hai6 ngo5 ge3 gin3 ji5) - 'The following are my suggestions'.
  • Modifying Nouns: To describe a noun (e.g., 'children 5 and under'), use the linking particle 嘅 (ge3): 五歲以下嘅小朋友 (ng5 seoi3 ji5 haa6 ge3 siu2 pang4 jau5).

Examples (4)

  1. 十八歲以下人士不得進入。

    Persons aged 18 or below are not allowed to enter.

    Word by Word: 18 years-old below persons not can enter.

    This is a common formal sign. Note that 以下 (ji5 haa6) includes the age 18 itself.

  2. 呢件衫一百蚊以下都買到。

    You can buy this shirt for 100 dollars or less.

    Word by Word: This piece shirt 100 dollars below also buy-attain.

    Here, 以下 is used with a price 一百蚊 (jat1 baak3 man1). It implies the price could be exactly 100 dollars.

  3. 五度以下就要著多件衫。

    If it's five degrees or below, you need to wear more clothes.

    Word by Word: Five degrees below then need wear more piece shirt.

    以下 is used here for temperature 五度 (ng5 dou6). It covers any temperature from 5 degrees downwards.

  4. 我想要搵五百呎以下嘅單位。

    I want to find a flat that is 500 square feet or smaller.

    Word by Word: I want find 500 feet below possessive unit.

    When modifying the noun 單位 (daan1 wai2), the particle 嘅 (ge3) is required after 以下.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing '以下' before the number (English word order).

    以下五十蚊
    五十蚊以下

    When 以下 (ji5 haa6) means 'and below' a quantity, it comes after the number, unlike English 'under'. (Separately, 以下 can mean 'the following', as in a list.)

  • Using 少過 when 50 dollars should be included.

    Different Meaning少過五十蚊
    五十蚊以下

    少過五十蚊 is natural, but it means less than 50 dollars, so exactly 50 is not included. 以下 (ji5 haa6) includes the number: '50 dollars 以下' includes exactly 50 dollars. For 'less than 50' (excluding 50), use 少過 (siu2 gwo3) or 唔夠 (m4 gau3).

  • Using '以下' for relative spatial position (e.g., under a physical object).

    隻貓喺枱以下。
    隻貓喺枱下面。

    以下 is for scales and measurements (age, price, elevation, temperature). For physical space (under the table), you must use 下面 (haa6 min6) or 底 (dai2).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

以下Level 3And Below

Learn This First

To use '以下' (and below), learners first need to be able to express quantities using numbers and classifiers. They also need to understand how to use the particle '嘅' to create descriptive phrases that modify a noun.

Words in This Pattern

以下