Verbing briefly with "yixia"

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.
  • 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!)Bù yào 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.)Bǎobǎo, qīn yīxià bàba. Baby, give your dad a kiss.
  • 一下 门 吧 。 (How long can it take to open the door?)Kāi yīxià mén ba. Please open the door.
  • 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