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

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After briefly reading this article, you will know how to use 一下 (yīxià) to express a brief action!
 
After briefly reading this article, you will know how to use 一下 (yīxià) to express a brief action!
  
=== Structure ===
+
== 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.  
 
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.  
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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.
 
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 ===
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== Examples ==
  
 
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Revision as of 09:25, 13 January 2017

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 (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.
  • 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.
  • 一下 门 吧 。 How long can it take to open the door?Kāi yīxià mén ba. 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!Bùyào 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.Bǎobao, 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

Sources and further reading