の下で | Grammar

Structure

[noun] + の下で [noun] + の下に [noun] + の下の + [noun]

Description

の下で means "under": something happens under a person's guidance, or within a system, a law or a set of conditions. It follows a noun, and 下 is read もと here, not した. Plenty of writers use kana instead: のもとで.

。

I conducted research under a famous professor.

。

I trained repeatedly under a strict coach.

、。

Under the new law, that act is prohibited.

、。

Under these circumstances, calm judgment is required.

もと or した

Read した, 下 is the space physically below something, as in き木のした下で, "under the tree". Read もと, it is the figurative "under" of this pattern. The kanji is the same, so the noun in front tells you which: a place or an object means した, and a person, a rule or a condition means もと.

。

I rested under the tree.

。

I studied Japanese under my teacher.

Usage notes

These go beyond の下で before a verb.

の下に

の下に means the same as の下で and is more formal. It also appears in fixed phrases such as 〜～のな名のしたに下に, "in the name of".

、。

In the name of justice, many people were hurt.

の下の before a noun

Before a noun, the pattern becomes の下の.

。

Equality under the law is guaranteed by the constitution.

Examples

。

He learned filmmaking under a world-famous director.

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Living under strict rules is tough.

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I'm happy to be able to study Japanese under my teacher.

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She learned the basics of cooking under her mother.

、。

Under the current system, that is not permitted.

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Children grow up healthy under a peaceful environment.

、。

Under the new leader, the company changed significantly.

、。

Under the constitution, all citizens are equal.

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Under his guidance, the team was able to win the championship.

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We conducted the experiment under these conditions.

、。

Under a free atmosphere, the students actively exchanged opinions.

、。

During the war, people lived under strict control.

References

の下でBunpro