居高临下

居高臨下

jūgāo-línxià

idiom HSK 7 #26,065

Meanings

1 to look down from above; to occupy a commanding position
2 condescending; patronizing

Characters

to occupy; to be situated at

to face; to overlook

Literally 'occupy the high ground and look down' — originally a military advantage, now often describes a condescending attitude.

Examples

他说话总是居高临下的态度。

Tā shuōhuà zǒngshì jūgāo-línxià de tàidu.

He always talks with a condescending attitude.

城堡建在山顶，居高临下。

Chéngbǎo jiàn zài shāndǐng, jūgāo-línxià.

The castle was built on the mountaintop, commanding a view from above.

Tips

usage

居高临下 originally was a military term (occupying high ground). In modern Chinese, it's more often used negatively to criticize someone's arrogant, condescending manner — 别用居高临下的口气跟我说话 ('Don't talk to me in that condescending tone').

Stroke Order

居 jū

高 gāo

临 lín

下 xià