Difference between revisions of "Verbing briefly with "yixia""

Line 25: Line 25:
 
* 我 要 试 <em>一下</em> 这 件 衣服。<span class="trans">I want to try on this article of clothing.</span>
 
* 我 要 试 <em>一下</em> 这 件 衣服。<span class="trans">I want to try on this article of clothing.</span>
 
* 你 可以 帮 我 做 <em>一下</em> 这 个 工作 吗?<span class="trans">Can you please help me with this work?</span>
 
* 你 可以 帮 我 做 <em>一下</em> 这 个 工作 吗?<span class="trans">Can you please help me with this work?</span>
* 你 让 我 想 <em>一下</em> 。<span class="expl">"You" is implied as the subject</span><span class="trans">Let me think a little.</span>
+
* 你 让 我 想 <em>一下</em> 。<span class="trans">Let me think a little.</span>
 
* 帮 我 修 <em>一下</em> 电脑 吧。<span class="trans">Please help me repair my computer.</span>
 
* 帮 我 修 <em>一下</em> 电脑 吧。<span class="trans">Please help me repair my computer.</span>
 
* 不 要 哭 了,笑 <em>一下</em> !<span class="trans">Don't cry, laugh!</span>
 
* 不 要 哭 了,笑 <em>一下</em> !<span class="trans">Don't cry, laugh!</span>

Revision as of 08:48, 29 November 2013

Chinese-grammar-wiki-yixia.jpg

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 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 want to try on this article of clothing.
  • 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.
  • 请 你 等 一下Please wait a little bit.

See also

Sources and further reading