When the noun 下(もと) ‘underneath’ is combined with either of the 格助詞(かくじょし) (case-marking particles) で or に, it will indicate that something is happening either under the influence, guidance, or basis of (A). (A) will be a noun that is connected to
下(もと)で or に through the case-marking particle の.
In this grammar structure, (A) may mark either a specific person or some situation equally as naturally.
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こんな厳(きび)しい環境(かんきょう)の下(もと)で試料(しりょう)を採取(さいしゅ)できたのは皆(みな)様(さま)のおかげです。
Thanks to all of you, we were able to gather samples under such harsh conditions.
先輩(せんぱい)の下(もと)で働(はたら)けて光栄(こうえい)です!
It is my pleasure that I can work under you!
その行為(こうい)はこの法律(ほうりつ)の下(もと)で禁止(きんし)されています。
That action is prohibited on the basis of this law.
Occasionally, に or で will be able to be omitted in preference of a comma directly after 下(もと). This expression is considered quite formal, and the omission of the particle in favor of a comma will make it sound even more formal.
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皆(みな)さんの協力(きょうりょく)の下(もと)、このプロジェクトを無事(ぶじ)に終(お)えることができました。皆(みな)さんありがとうございました。
Under everyone’s hard work, we were able to successfully complete this project. Thank you all.
佐々木(ささき)先輩(せんぱい)のご指導(しどう)の下(もと)、企画書(きかくしょ)を作成(さくせい)しています。
I am creating a proposal, on the basis of Sasaki-senpai’s guidance.
Fun-fact -
の下(もと)で may be replaced with 下(か) attached directly to many different nouns, and still carry the same meaning. Examples of these are 統治下(とうちか) ‘under the reign’, 指揮下(しきか) ‘under the direction’, 影響下(えいきょうか) ‘under the influence’, 占領下(せんりょうか) ‘under the occupation’, 支配下(しはいか) ‘under the control’, and others.
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沖縄(おきなわ)は1945年(ねん)から1972年(ねん)までアメリカの統治(とうち)下(か)であった。
Okinawa was under the reign of America from 1945 to 1972.
その国(くに)は現在(げんざい)敵国(てきぐに)の支配(しはい)下(か)にある。
Currently, that country is under the control of our enemy.