How to say “do something briefly” in Chinese with 一下
Verb + 一下 (yíxià)
一下 (yī xià) — verbing briefly
Verb + 一下 (yíxià)
HSK 2Verb phrases一下 (yī xià) — verbing briefly
Rule structure
Adding 一下 (yíxià) after a verb makes the action sound more casual, brief, or gentle.
Rule structure
Adding 一下 (yíxià) after a verb makes the action sound more casual, brief, or gentle.
Examples
我看一下这本书。
Wǒ kàn yīxià zhè běn shū.
Let me take a look at this book.
Examples
我看一下这本书。
Wǒ kàn yīxià zhè běn shū.
Let me take a look at this book.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “verbing briefly” in Chinese with 一下?
Use the structure: Verb + 一下 (yíxià). For example: 我看一下这本书。 — “Let me take a look at this book.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我看一下这本书。 — “Let me take a look at this book.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 2.
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More HSK 2 grammar rules
到 — direction with “to go to”
到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)
给 — verb + give to someone
Subj. + Verb + 给 (gěi) + Recipient + Obj.
在 — location after verbs
Verb + 在 (zài) + Place
教你 — double object verbs
Subj. + Verb + Indirect Obj. + Direct Obj.
去 — actions in a row
(Verb Phrase 1) + (Verb Phrase 2)
不要 — negative commands
不要 (búyào) + Verb
看看 — verb reduplication, “take a look”
Verb + Verb
给 — giving to someone
Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Target + Verb + Obj.