Verbing briefly with "yixia"
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
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.
