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March 24, 2026
一下yíxià(yi2xia4)
一下 (yí xià) is a versatile expression used after a verb to indicate a brief action or attempt. It often conveys the idea of trying something out or doing something momentarily, making it common in casual conversations and requests.
Frequency#156DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing a desire to try something out suggests openness and willingness to experience new things, reflecting the value placed on exploration and learning in everyday life.
Memory Tip
Imagine you’re at a carnival and you want to try a game just for a moment. The '一' (one) represents trying it once, and '下' (down) evokes the idea of doing something briefly, like lowering your hand to play.
Meanings of 一下
yíxià(yi2xia4)
1(used after a verb) give it a go
2to do (sth for a bit to give it a try)
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About 一下
一下Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#156Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 一下
Podcast: 一下
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AI Study Notes for 一下
Quick Contrast
试试 (shì shì) vs 一下 (yí xià): use 一下 for a brief or momentary action, while 试试 suggests trying something out more generally or with the intention of evaluation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine you’re at a carnival and you want to try a game just for a moment. The '一' (one) represents trying it once, and '下' (down) evokes the idea of doing something briefly, like lowering your hand to play.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 一下 with 一次 (yí cì), which means 'once' in a more permanent sense. It is commonly used in informal contexts, so avoid using it in formal writing or speeches. Remember to adjust your tone to convey the lighthearted intent of the phrase.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 一下 is foundational for expressing brief actions. Students should practice pairing it with various verbs to enhance their conversational skills and make their speech more fluid and natural.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing a desire to try something out suggests openness and willingness to experience new things, reflecting the value placed on exploration and learning in everyday life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use 一下 after a verb, leading to sentences like '我去' (wǒ qù) instead of '我去一下' (wǒ qù yí xià). Always include it to convey the intended meaning of a brief attempt.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 一下
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Grammar Patterns of 一下
一下 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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Cultural Notes for 一下
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing a desire to try something out suggests openness and willingness to experience new things, reflecting the value placed on exploration and learning in everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions about 一下
You can say something like '请等一下' (qǐng děng yí xià), which means 'Please wait for a moment.'
Yes, 一下 can be used with most verbs to indicate a brief action, such as '看一下' (kàn yí xià) meaning 'take a look'.
一下 is generally informal, so it's best suited for casual conversations rather than formal contexts.
