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](http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/pronunciation/Tone_change_rules).

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.

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + Verb + 一下 + Obj.

</div>
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
--------

<div class="liju">
-   请 你 等 <em>一下</em>。<span class="expl">You get the feeling that
    it shouldn't be a long wait.</span><span class="pinyin">Qǐng nǐ děng
    <em>yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">Please wait a little
    bit.</span>
-   你 看 <em>一下</em>。<span class="expl">It should be
    quick.</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ kàn
    <em>yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">Take a look.</span>
-   试 <em>一下</em> 吧。<span class="expl">How long can trying it take?
    </span><span class="pinyin">Shì <em>yīxià</em>
    ba.</span><span class="trans">Try it.</span>
-   我 要 想 <em>一下</em>。<span class="expl">You're supposed to
    believe that I won't need to think about it
    long.</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ yào xiǎng
    <em>yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">I want to think a
    little.</span>
-   开 <em>一下</em> 门 吧 。 <span class="expl">How long can it take to
    open the door?</span><span class="pinyin">Kāi <em>yīxià</em> mén
    ba.</span><span class="trans">Please open the door.</span>
-   请 你 说 <em>一下</em> 为什么。<span class="expl">I feel it should
    be a quick explanation.</span><span class="pinyin">Qǐng nǐ shuō
    <em>yīxià</em> wèishénme.</span><span class="trans">Please say
    why.</span>
-   不要 生气 了，笑
    <em>一下</em>！<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">Just one quick
    laugh!</span><span class="pinyin">Bùyào shēngqì le, xiào
    <em>yīxià</em>! </span><span class="trans">Don't be mad, laugh!
    </span>
-   宝宝，亲 <em>一下</em> 爸爸。<span class="expl">If a baby's kiss
    isn't quick, it's weird for
    everyone.</span><span class="pinyin">Bǎobao, qīn <em>yīxià</em>
    bàba.</span><span class="trans">Baby, give your dad a kiss.</span>
-   你 可以 来 <em>一下</em> 我 的 办公室
    吗？<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">Just come real
    quick.</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ kěyǐ lái <em>yīxià</em> wǒ de
    bàngōngshì ma? </span><span class="trans">Could you please come to
    my office? </span>
-   你 能 介绍 <em>一下</em> 自己 吗 ？ <span class="expl">Not your life
    story, just a brief self-introduction.</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ
    néng jièshào <em>yīxià</em> zìjǐ ma?
    </span><span class="trans">Could you introduce yourself briefly?
    </span>

</div>
See also
--------

-   [Verb reduplication with yi](Verb_reduplication_with_yi "wikilink")
-   [Verb reduplication](Verb_reduplication "wikilink")

Sources and further reading
---------------------------

-   [Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1
    (3rd ed)](Integrated_Chinese:_Level_1,_Part_1_(3rd_ed) "wikilink") (p.
    126)
    [→buy](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385)
-   [40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course
    (基础汉语40课上册）](40_Lessons_for_Basic_Chinese_Course_(基础汉语40课上册） "wikilink") (p.
    206)[→buy](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20)

[Category:A2 grammar points](Category:A2_grammar_points "wikilink")
<Category:Verbs>