Verbing briefly with "yixia"
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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 (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.) Please wait a little bit.
- 你 看 一下。(It should be quick.) Take a look.
- 试 一下 吧。(How long can trying it take??) Try it.
- 我 要 想 一下。(You're supposed to believe that I won't need to think about it long.) I want to think a little.
- 请 你 说 一下 为什么。(I feel it should be a quick explanation.) Please say why.
- 不要 生气 了，笑 一下！(Just one quick laugh!) 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.) Baby, give your dad a kiss.
- 开 一下 门 吧 。 (How long can it take to open the door?) Please open the door.
- 你 可以 来 一下 我 的 办公室 吗？(Just come real quick.) 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.) Could you introduce yourself briefly?
