Introduction
一下 (yíxià) after a verb means "a bit", "briefly", "just have a quick…". Its real work, though, is social: it takes the edge off an instruction. 看 (kàn) is "look"; 看一下 (kàn yíxià) is "have a quick look".
Overview
Structure: Subj. + Verb + 一下 (yíxià) + (Obj.)
| Pattern | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| V + 一下 | 等一下。(Děng yíxià.) | Wait a moment. |
| V + 一下 + O | 看一下这个。(Kàn yíxià zhège.) | Have a look at this. |
| 请 + V + 一下 | 请等一下。(Qǐng děng yíxià.) | Please wait a moment. |
| V + 一下 + 吧 | 休息一下吧。(Xiūxi yíxià ba.) | Why don't you take a break. |
| 我 + V + 一下 | 我想问一下。(Wǒ xiǎng wèn yíxià.) | I'd just like to ask something. |
一下 (yíxià) is politeness, not really duration:
- 等！(Děng!) — Wait! An order.
- 等一下。(Děng yíxià.) — Hang on a second. A request.
- Stack the softeners and it gets gentler still: 请等一下吧。(Qǐng děng yíxià ba.)
- 一下 (yíxià) goes after the verb and before the object: ✓ 看一下这个 (kàn yíxià zhège) ❌ 一下看这个 (yíxià kàn zhège).
Examples
等一下。
Děng yíxià.
Wait a moment.
请看一下这个。
Qǐng kàn yíxià zhège.
Please have a look at this.
我想问一下，洗手间在哪儿？
Wǒ xiǎng wèn yíxià, xǐshǒujiān zài nǎr?
Excuse me, where's the toilet?
你休息一下吧。
Nǐ xiūxi yíxià ba.
Why don't you take a break.
我介绍一下，这是我的老师。
Wǒ jièshào yíxià, zhè shì wǒ de lǎoshī.
Let me introduce you — this is my teacher.
你能帮我一下吗？
Nǐ néng bāng wǒ yíxià ma?
Could you give me a hand?
Usage Notes
- 一下 (yíxià) is read yíxià — 下 (xià) is 4th tone, so 一 (yī) shifts to yí.
- 我想问一下 (wǒ xiǎng wèn yíxià) is the standard way to stop a stranger, and much softer than 请问 (qǐngwèn) alone feels in some situations.
- 一下 (yíxià) attaches to actions that can be short. It does not fit a state: ❌ 我是一下老师 (wǒ shì yíxià lǎoshī).
- It pairs naturally with 吧 (ba) and 请 (qǐng), both of which soften in their own way.
- 一点儿 (yìdiǎnr) softens adjectives; 一下 (yíxià) softens verbs: 便宜一点儿 (piányi yìdiǎnr) — a bit cheaper; 看一下 (kàn yíxià) — have a quick look.