下载 (xiàzài)

下载 means to download, referring to transferring files, apps, or data from the internet or a server to a local device. It is one of the most commonly used tech verbs in everyday Chinese.

Meanings

[verb] to download; to transfer data from a remote source to a local device

Example Sentences

我需要下载这个应用程序。 Wǒ xūyào xiàzài zhège yìngyòng chéngxù. I need to download this application.

文件太大，下载需要一点时间。 Wénjiàn tài dà, xiàzài xūyào yīdiǎn shíjiān. The file is too large; downloading will take a little time.

你可以免费下载这首歌。 Nǐ kěyǐ miǎnfèi xiàzài zhè shǒu gē. You can download this song for free.

网速太慢，下载了半天还没完成。 Wǎngsù tài màn, xiàzài le bàntiān hái méi wánchéng. The internet is too slow; I've been downloading for a long time and it's still not done.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
免费下载	free download
下载速度	download speed
下载文件	to download a file
下载完成	download complete

Usage Notes

下载 pairs with 上传 (shàngchuán, to upload) as natural opposites. 下 (down) reflects data coming down to your device, while 上 (up) in 上传 reflects sending data upward to a server. 下载 can be used as both a verb and a noun (e.g., 这个下载很快, "this download is fast").

Memory Hook

下 (down) + 载 (to carry/load): carrying data down from the internet to your device — downloading.