'Xià qù' literally combines 'xià' (down) and 'qù' (to go), forming a directional verb compound meaning 'to go down'—physically descending from a higher to a lower position. It emphasizes movement along a vertical axis, such as stairs, hills, slopes, or levels in a building. Unlike standalone 'xià', which can mean 'down' as a noun or adjective, 'xià qù' always implies motion toward a lower location and requires a subject performing the action.

This compound commonly follows subject–verb–object word order and often appears with location complements (e.g., '从楼上下去') or time/aspect markers like 'le' or 'guò'. It’s neutral in register—used in daily conversation, instructions, and written descriptions—but never stands alone as a command without context (e.g., you wouldn’t say just 'Xià qù!' unless the direction is already clear). It’s frequently paired with verbs like 'zǒu', 'pǎo', or 'tāng' to specify manner of descent.