Qǐng xiě xiàlái (请写下来): Please write it down

请写下来

qǐng xiě xiàlái

Please write it down

Character breakdown

请

please

qǐng

写

write

xiě

下

down

xià

来

come

lái

Grammar and structure

This is a polite request: 请 (qǐng) means 'please', 写 (xiě) means 'write', and 下来 (xiàlái) is a directional complement indicating 'down' (as in onto paper). So it literally means 'please write down'.

Variations and politeness

请您写下来

qǐng nín xiě xiàlái

Please write it down (polite) — More polite because it includes 您 (nín), the formal 'you'.

写一下

xiě yīxià

Write it down (briefly) — More casual and shorter, using 一下 (yīxià) to soften the request.

Mini dialogue

你能再说一遍吗？

nǐ néng zài shuō yī biàn ma?

Can you say that again?

请写下来。

qǐng xiě xiàlái.

Please write it down.

When to use it

Appropriate

When you need someone to write down information you can't remember, like an address or phone number.
When you don't recognize a spoken word and want to see the characters.
When you want to make sure you understand exactly what was said, especially in a noisy environment.

Avoid when

When you want someone to write something for you in general, without the sense of 'down' for your benefit; just 请写 (qǐng xiě) might be enough.
When you are asking someone to write something on a board or screen for a group, not specifically for you; 请写下来 can sound too personal.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say 'please write it down' in Chinese?

You say 请写下来 (qǐng xiě xiàlái). It literally means 'please write down' and is used when you want someone to write something for you.

How do you pronounce 请写下来?

It is pronounced qǐng xiě xiàlái. Pay attention to the third tone on 请 (qǐng) and 写 (xiě), and the fourth tone on 下 (xià).

When do you use 请写下来?

Use it when you need someone to write down information you can't remember, like a name or address. It's polite and appropriate in both casual and formal situations.