Verbing briefly with "yixia"

After briefly reading this article, you will know how to use 一下 (yīxià) to express a brief action!

Note: The pinyin for 一下 is written "yīxià" but pronounced "yíxià" due to a tone change rule.

Structure

To express that a verb is carried out briefly or "a little bit," you can add 一下 (yīxià) after it. Sometimes 一下 (yīxià) can soften the tone.

Often, adding 一下 (yīxià) just makes the Chinese feel more natural. This is not something you can get a feel for quickly. You'll want to observe how native speakers use 一下 (yīxià) over a long period of time to really get used to how it is used.

Examples

请你等一下。
You get the feeling that it shouldn't be a long wait.
Qǐng nǐ děng yīxià.
Please wait a little bit.
你看一下。
It should be quick.
Nǐ kàn yīxià.
Take a look.
试一下吧。
How long can trying it take?
Shì yīxià ba.
Try it.
我要想一下。
You're supposed to believe that I won't need to think about it long.
Wǒ yào xiǎng yīxià.
I want to think a little.
开一下门吧。
How long can it take to open the door?
Kāi yīxià mén ba.
Please open the door.
请你说一下为什么。
I feel it should be a quick explanation.
Qǐng nǐ shuō yīxià wèishénme.
Please say why.
不要生气了，笑一下！
Just one quick laugh!
Bùyào shēngqì le, xiào yīxià!
Don't be mad, laugh!
宝宝，亲一下爸爸。
If a baby's kiss isn't quick, it's weird for everyone.
Bǎobao, qīn yīxià bàba.
Baby, give your dad a kiss.
你可以来一下我的办公室吗？
Just come real quick.
Nǐ kěyǐ lái yīxià wǒ de bàngōngshì ma?
Could you please come to my office?
你能介绍一下自己吗？
Not your life story, just a brief self-introduction.
Nǐ néng jièshào yīxià zìjǐ ma?
Could you introduce yourself briefly?

Verbing briefly with "yixia" "一下"

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading