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

HSK 6

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.

HSK 6

文化大革命期间，许多知识分子被下放到农村。

Wénhuà Dàgémìng qījiān, xǔduō zhīshi fènzǐ 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