膝下

xīxià

noun #25,925

Meanings

1 at one's knee (referring to one's children)
2 (salutation) under the care of (used in letters to parents/grandparents)

Characters

under; below; beneath

Examples

他膝下有三个子女，生活美满。

Tā xīxià yǒu sān gè zǐnǚ, shēnghuó měimǎn.

He has three children and lives a fulfilling life.

父母膝下承欢，是儿女最大的心愿。

Fùmǔ xīxià chénghuān, shì érnǚ zuìdà de xīnyuàn.

Bringing joy to one's parents is the greatest wish of children.

Tips

register

膝下 is a classical and literary expression. In formal letters addressed to elders, it appears as a salutation: "父亲大人膝下" — literally, under father's knee, meaning in father's presence and care.

Stroke Order

膝 xī

下 xià