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Verb + 一下

HSK 2
  • Other

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Verb一下

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

Verb + 一下 is used to express an action that occurs briefly, or to do something tentatively/casually.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

Add 一下 directly after a verb to express that an action happens quickly or briefly. This structure also makes a sentence — especially a command or request — sound softer and more polite, similar to adding "a little" or "just" in English. For example, instead of saying 等! (Wait!), saying 等一下 (Wait a moment) sounds much more friendly.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 请等一下。
    繁: 請等一下。qǐng děng yíxià.

    Please wait a moment.

  2. 让我看一下。
    繁: 讓我看一下。ràng wǒ kàn yíxià.

    Let me have a look.

  3. 我们休息一下吧。
    繁: 我們休息一下吧。wǒmen xiūxi yíxià ba.

    Let's rest for a moment.

  4. 我介绍一下我的朋友。
    繁: 我介紹一下我的朋友。wǒ jièshào yíxià wǒ de péngyou.

    I'd like to introduce my friend to you.

  5. 你尝一下这个菜。
    繁: 你嘗一下這個菜。nǐ cháng yíxià zhège cài.

    You try this dish.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong:我吃一下饭。
    Correct:我吃一点儿饭。

    一下 indicates a brief action in time, while 一点儿 indicates the quantity of the object. To say "eat a little rice," use 一点儿.

  • Wrong:我想一下这个问题。
    Correct:我想一想这个问题。

    With psychological verbs like 想 (think), the verb is typically repeated (想一想) rather than using 一下 to express "think a bit."