Verb phrasesHSK 3

Verbing briefly with 一下

Adding 一下 after a verb expresses that the action is done briefly or casually. It can soften the tone of requests, making them more polite. It's very common in everyday speech for quick or light actions.

Structure

Subj. + Verb + 一下 + Obj.

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.
试一下吧。
Shì yīxià ba.
Try it.
我要想一下。
Wǒ yào xiǎng yīxià .
I want to think a little.
开一下门吧。
Kāi yīxià mén ba.
Please open the door.

Words that use this

一下yí xià(after a verb) a bit; a little (indicating brief duration, or softening the tone, or suggesting giving sth a try); all at once; suddenly