Verbing briefly with "yixia"

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 after it. Sometimes 一下 can soften the tone.

Subject + Verb + 一下 + Object

Often, adding 一下 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 over a long period of time to really get used to how it is used.

Examples

• 你 看 一下。Take a quick look.
• 请 你 读 一下。Can you please read a bit of it.
• 我 听 一下 音乐。I'll listen to some music.
• 你 尝 一下 这 个 菜。Have a little taste of this dish.
• 我 要 试 一下 这 件 衣服。I honestly want that clothes.
• 你 可以 帮 我 做 一下 这 个 工作 吗？Can you please help me with this work?
• 你 让 我 想 一下 。You let me think a little.
• 帮 我 修 一下 电脑 吧。Please help me repair my computer.
• 不 要 哭 了，笑 一下 ！Don't cry, laugh!
• 宝宝，亲 一下 爸爸。Baby, give your dad a kiss.
• 来，抱 一下 ，祝 你 一路 平安！Come here for a moment, i wish you good luck!

See also

• Verb reduplication with yi
• Verb reduplication

Sources and further reading

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