| 自下而上 |
zì xià ér shàng |
(idiom) from bottom to top; from the grass roots up; bottom-up |
| 自 |
zì |
(bound form) self; oneself / from; since / naturally; as a matter of course |
| 下 |
xià |
down / downwards / below / lower / later / next (week etc) / second (of two parts) / to decline / to go down / to arrive at (a decision, conclusion etc) / measure word to show the frequency of an action |
| 下而上 |
xià ér shàng |
bottom to top (of listing) |
| 而 |
ér |
and / as well as / and so / but (not) / yet (not) / (indicates causal relation) / (indicates change of state) / (indicates contrast) |
| 上 |
shǎng |
used in 上声 |
| 上 |
shàng |
(bound form) up; upper; above; previous / first (of multiple parts) / to climb; to get onto; to go up / to attend (class or university) / (directional complement) up / (noun suffix) on; above |