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How to say “do something briefly” in Chinese with 一下

Verb + 一下 (yíxià)

Verbing briefly with "一下 (yíxià)"

HSK 2Verb phrases

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.

Practice

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Characters

Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Verbing briefly with "一下 (yíxià)"” in Chinese?

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

Direction with "到 (dào) + place + 去 (qù)"

到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)

Verbs followed by "给 (gěi)"

Subj. + Verb + 给 (gěi) + Recipient + Obj.

Special cases of "在 (zài)" following verbs

Verb + 在 (zài) + Place

Verbs that take double objects

Subj. + Verb + Indirect Obj. + Direct Obj.

Actions in a row

(Verb Phrase 1) + (Verb Phrase 2)

Negative commands with "不要 (búyào)"

不要 (búyào) + Verb

Reduplication of verbs

Verb + Verb

Verbs preceded by "给 (gěi)"

Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Target + Verb + Obj.