下放

xiàfàng

verb #25,438

Meanings

1 to delegate (power)
2 to decentralize
3 to send down (officials to rural or lower-level posts)

Characters

down / downward / lower level

to release / to send / to let go

Examples

政府决定将部分权力下放给地方。

Zhèngfǔ juédìng jiāng bùfen quánlì xiàfàng gěi dìfāng.

The government decided to delegate some powers to local authorities.

文化大革命期间，许多知识分子被下放到农村。

Wénhuà Dà Gémìng qījiān, xǔduō zhīshifènzǐ bèi xiàfàng dào nóngcūn.

During the Cultural Revolution, many intellectuals were sent down to the countryside.

Tips

history

During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), 下放 referred specifically to the policy of relocating urban intellectuals and party cadres to rural areas for 're-education'. This historical usage still colors the word today.

Stroke Order

下 xià

放 fàng