downstairs
/ˌdaʊnˈsteəz/ (bre, ipa) · [dˈaʊnstˈɛrz] /ˌdaʊnˈsterz/ (ame, ipa) · [dˈaʊnstˈɛrz] /ˈdau̇n-ˈsterz/ (ame, mw)
downstairs — adverb
1. moving toward or located on a level of a building that is lower than your presen
moving toward or located on a level of a building that is lower than your present floor, for instance by walking down the staircase
Tara went downstairs to answer the doorbell when it rang.
verb of motion + downstairs + purpose clause
The spare bedroom is downstairs, next to the laundry room.
be + downstairs (location)
Liam ran downstairs when he heard his little sister yelling for help.
Is there a telephone downstairs that visitors can use?
Christopher walked downstairs carefully because the wooden steps were very slippery.
- upstairs
the opposite direction or location on a higher floor
用法筆記
The adverb is by far the most common use of 'downstairs'. It pairs naturally with verbs of motion such as 'go', 'come', 'run', and 'walk'.
常見錯誤
downstairs — adjective
- downstairspositive
- more downstairscomparative
- most downstairssuperlative
1. placed before a noun and describing a room or area that is found at the ground l
placed before a noun and describing a room or area that is found at the ground level or a lower level of a house or other structure
The downstairs bathroom has a new shower and heated floor tiles.
downstairs + noun (room)
Nkechi decorated the downstairs hallway with paintings from local artists.
There are two downstairs bedrooms, one at the front and one at the back.
Marta cleaned all the downstairs windows before the winter rain began.
The downstairs living room faces the garden and gets plenty of sunlight.
- ground-floor
more specific; refers only to the floor at street level
- lower
broader in meaning, not limited to buildings
- upstairs
referring to a room or area on a higher floor
文法句型
downstairs + noun
用法筆記
Used only before a noun (attributive position). You cannot say 'The bathroom is downstairs' with this adjective form — that use requires the adverb. Common with rooms: 'downstairs bathroom', 'downstairs kitchen', 'downstairs bedroom'.
常見錯誤
downstairs — noun
1. the ground floor of a house, thought of as a living area that contains rooms suc
the ground floor of a house, thought of as a living area that contains rooms such as the kitchen, living room, and dining room
Sumin decorated the downstairs with modern furniture and bright wall art.
the downstairs (treated as a single area)
The downstairs of their house has an open kitchen connected to the dining area.
the downstairs of + noun
The homeowners are repainting the downstairs because the old colour looks too dark.
The downstairs is much warmer now that they have replaced the old windows.
Darius spent the whole weekend cleaning the downstairs from top to bottom.
- ground floor
more neutral and formal; does not imply a home setting
- upstairs
the upper floor or floors of a building
文法句型
the downstairs of + noun
the downstairs + verb
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'the'. Refers to the ground floor of a house as a unified living space. In British English, 'the downstairs' often contrasts with 'the upstairs' when describing a house's layout.
常見錯誤
2. the lower section of a building that sits beneath the higher floors, for example
the lower section of a building that sits beneath the higher floors, for example the level that is at or near the ground
The downstairs of the museum stores the ancient pottery and coin collection.
the downstairs of + building (not a house)
Water from the burst pipe flooded the downstairs of the office building.
Employees in the downstairs must use the stairs when the lift is broken.
Karim stored his tools in the downstairs of the warehouse near the loading bay.
- lower floor
a more general and neutral alternative that works for any building type
- basement
specifically a floor below ground level, not at ground level
- upper floor
a higher level of a building
- upstairs
the area on a higher floor or floors
文法句型
the downstairs + verb
from the downstairs
in the downstairs
用法筆記
Unlike the ground-floor-area sense, this sense can apply to commercial or public buildings, not only houses. The focus is on the lower physical level rather than the living area.