Chinese Grammar: Expressing a brief action with 一下

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.

Note: The pinyin for 一下 is written “yīxià” but pronounced “yíxià” due to a tone change rule!

 

Structure:

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。(Qǐng nǐ děng yīxià.) = Please wait a little bit.

你 看 一下。(Nǐ kàn yīxià) = Take a look.

一下 吧。(Shì yīxià ba) = Try it.

我 要 想 一下。(Wǒ yào xiǎng yīxià) = I want to think a little.

一下 门 吧 。 (Kāi yīxià mén ba) = Please open the door.

请 你 说 一下 为什么。(Qǐng nǐ shuō yīxià wèishénme) = Please say why.

你 可以 来 一下 我 的 办公室 吗?(Nǐ kěyǐ lái yīxià wǒ de bàngōngshì ma) = Could you please come to my office?

你 能 介绍 一下 自己 吗 ? (Nǐ néng jièshào yīxià zìjǐ ma) = Could you introduce yourself briefly?


Post time: Feb-25-2020