‘压低’ is a compound verb meaning 'to lower' or 'to reduce', typically referring to something physical or measurable that can be consciously decreased—most commonly voice volume, price, expectations, or intensity. The first character 压 (yā) means 'to press down' or 'to suppress', and the second 低 (dī) means 'low' or 'lower'; together they convey the action of actively bringing something down in level or degree. It implies intention and effort—not just passive reduction, but deliberate control.

This verb is frequently used in spoken and written Mandarin across everyday contexts: lowering one’s voice during a conversation, negotiating a lower price, or reducing noise levels. It often appears with objects like 声音 (voice), 价格 (price), 声调 (tone), or 成本 (cost). While it can occasionally refer to abstract things like expectations or standards, it rarely applies to natural or involuntary changes (e.g., you wouldn’t use 压低 for ‘temperature drops at night’—that’s 下降 or 降低 instead).