au-dessous

Word: au-dessous

Meaning:
"Au-dessous" is a French prepositional phrase meaning "below," "under," or "beneath." It indicates a position that is lower than something else physically or figuratively.

Parts:

• au = contraction of "à + le," meaning "at the" or "to the"
• dessous = "below," "underneath," or "under"

Together, "au-dessous" means "underneath" or "below."

Usage:
It is often used to specify location:

• Le placard est au-dessous de la fenêtre. — The cupboard is below the window.

It can also be used in a figurative or abstract sense:

• Le prix est au-dessous du marché. — The price is below market level.

Synonyms:

• sous (under)
• en dessous (underneath, below)
• inférieur à (inferior to, lower than) — more formal/comparative

Antonyms:

• au-dessus (above, over)
• sur (on, above)
• au-dessus de (over, above)

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In summary, "au-dessous" indicates a position or state being lower than something else, either physically or metaphorically.