ChineseGrammarWiki/MD/A2/73.mw.html

<p>After briefly reading this article, you will know how to use 一下 (yīxià) to express a brief action!</p>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> The pinyin for 一下 is written &quot;yīxià&quot; but pronounced &quot;yíxià&quot; due to a <a href="http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/pronunciation/Tone_change_rules">tone change rule</a>.</p>
<h2 id="structure">Structure</h2>
<p>To express that a verb is carried out briefly or &quot;a little bit,&quot; you can add 一下 (yīxià) after it. Sometimes 一下 (yīxià) can soften the tone.</p>
<div class="jiegou">
<p>Subj. + Verb + 一下 + Obj.</p>
</div>
<p>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.</p>
<h2 id="examples">Examples</h2>
<div class="liju">
<ul>
<li>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></li>
<li>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></li>
<li>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></li>
<li>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></li>
<li>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></li>
<li>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></li>
<li>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></li>
<li>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></li>
<li>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></li>
<li>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></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="Verb_reduplication_with_yi" title="wikilink">Verb reduplication with yi</a></li>
<li><a href="Verb_reduplication" title="wikilink">Verb reduplication</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="sources-and-further-reading">Sources and further reading</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="Integrated_Chinese:_Level_1,_Part_1_(3rd_ed)" title="wikilink">Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)</a> (p. 126) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=allset-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=217145&amp;creative=399369&amp;creativeASIN=0887276385">→buy</a></li>
<li><a href="40_Lessons_for_Basic_Chinese_Course_(基础汉语40课上册）" title="wikilink">40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册）</a> (p. 206)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=allset-20">→buy</a></li>
</ul>
<p>       </p>
<p><a href="Category:A2_grammar_points" title="wikilink">Category:A2 grammar points</a> <a href="Category:Verbs" class="uri" title="wikilink">Category:Verbs</a></p>