Verbing briefly with "yixia"

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

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.

Subj. + Verb + 一下 + Obj.

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. 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!)Bù yào 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.)Bǎobǎo, 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?

See also

• Verb reduplication with yi
• Verb reduplication

Sources and further reading

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (p. 126) →buy
• 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册） (p. 206)→buy