底线

底線

dǐxiàn

noun HSK 7 #5,289

Measure Word

一条底线 tiáo

Meanings

1 bottom line; baseline; minimum standard
2 boundary one refuses to cross

Characters

Literally 'bottom line' — the lowest acceptable line, below which one will not go.

Examples

做人要有底线。

Zuòrén yào yǒu dǐxiàn.

A person should have principles they won't compromise.

这是我的底线，不能再让步了。

Zhè shì wǒ de dǐxiàn, bù néng zài ràngbù le.

This is my bottom line — I can't make any more concessions.

Tips

usage

触碰底线 (chùpèng dǐxiàn, 'to touch the bottom line') means to cross someone's boundary. 守住底线 (shǒuzhù dǐxiàn, 'to hold the bottom line') means to maintain one's principles. These are extremely common phrases in both personal and political contexts.

Stroke Order

底 dǐ

线 xiàn