below /biˈləu/ I. adv.在下面;向下:From the hill top we saw the blue ocean below. 从山顶上我们看见了下面的蓝色海洋。He who would search for pearls must dive below.[谚]要找珍珠,就得下深海。Below is an example of a business letter.下面是一封商务信件的例子。‖II. prep.在…以下 (表示位置、职位、数量、程度、年龄等):There stands a chair below the window.窗户下面放着一把椅子。The price of this hat is below twenty dollars. 这顶帽子的价钱不到20美元。The temperature was five degrees below freezing point. 气温是零下五度。
[辨析]below泛指在某物的下方或官阶、职位在某人之下。under常指在某物的正下方或官阶、职位直接在某人之下。beneath可代替below,但较为正式,常用于书面语言。underneath常用来代替under,特别用来表示完全或几乎完全隐蔽时,如:mines underneath the city