一下
do something briefly; have a quick look, wait a moment
Structure
动词 + 一下 (+ 宾语)
What it means
Verb + 一下 makes an action short and casual: 看一下 “take a look”, 等一下 “wait a moment”. It makes a request sound polite and relaxed.
How it is built
Verb + 一下 (+ noun object): 我问一下经理 (I’ll just ask the manager). A pronoun can come before 一下: 等我一下.
When to use it
Use it to soften everyday requests and offers: 你看一下. You have heard it since p-8 (我记一下儿你的电话); in Beijing people often say 一下儿.
Watch out
A noun object goes after 一下, not before it. ✗ 看菜单一下 ✓ 看一下菜单. Only a pronoun can come first: 等我一下.
Examples
你看一下，这个菜怎么样？
Have a look: how about this dish?
我们休息一下吧。
Let’s take a short break.
我问一下经理。
I’ll just ask the manager.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 3: 叫外卖 (Food delivery)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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