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一下 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
一下yíxià(used after a verb) give it a goHSK 1, m, 4 strokes, rank #156, Easy
一下yíxiàto do (sth for a bit to give it a try)HSK 1, m, 4 strokes, rank #156, Easy
一下yíxiàone timeHSK 1, m, 4 strokes, rank #156, Easy
一下yíxiàonceHSK 1, m, 4 strokes, rank #156, Easy
一下yíxiàin a whileHSK 1, m, 4 strokes, rank #156, Easy
一下yíxiàall of a suddenHSK 1, m, 4 strokes, rank #156, Easy
一下yíxiàall at onceHSK 1, m, 4 strokes, rank #156, Easy
yíxià(yi2xia4)yi xia T1
  1. 1(used after a verb) give it a go
  2. 2to do (sth for a bit to give it a try)
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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.

Strokes4Frequency#156DifficultyEasy
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)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 一下

一下Simplified
4Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#156Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1HSKKL1CEFRA1

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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.

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.

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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Component characters

一yīone
HSK 11 strokes一
View full entry
下xiàdown
HSK 13 strokes一
View full entry

How to say (used after a verb) give it a go in Chinese

“(used after a verb) give it a go” in Chinese is一下yíxià

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.

When to use 一下

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.

一下 or something close to it

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.

What learners get wrong

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.

Write 一下

一
下

Practice writing 一下 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我们休息____儿。

Let us rest for a bit.

Example sentences for 一下 (16)

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1
她突然张开手臂搂住我的脖子,然后吻了我一下。

tā tūrán zhāng kāi shǒubì lǒu zhù wǒ de bózi, ránhòu wěn le wǒ yíxià。

She flung her arms around my neck and kissed me.
2
最好先伸展一下僵硬的肌肉。

zuìhǎo xiān shēn Zhǎn yíxià jiāngyìng de jīròu。

It is better to stretch the tight muscles first.
3
请查一下我的账户余额。

qǐng chá yíxià wǒ de zhànghù yú’é。

I'd like to check the balance in my account please.
4
我想你或许想要读一下信封里的内容。

wǒ xiǎng nǐ huòxǔ xiǎngyào dú yíxià xìnfēng lǐ de nèiróng。

I thought you might like to read the enclosed.
5
“现在给我讲述一下你的航程吧。”——“非常乐意,先生。”

“ xiànzài gěi wǒ jiǎngshù yíxià nǐ de háng chéng ba。”——“ fēicháng lèyì, xiānsheng。”

"Now give me some account of your voyage." — "Very good, sir."
6
你理应休息一下,出去好好玩玩。

nǐ lǐ yìng xiūxi yíxià, chūqù hǎohǎo wán wán。

Take a well-earned rest and go out and enjoy yourself.
7
“也许你可以查一下书?”莫伊拉建议道。

“ yěxǔ nǐ kěyǐ chá yíxià shū?” mò yī lā jiànyì dào。

"Perhaps you could check the book?" Moira said helpfully.
8
你要是觉得两眼周围紧绷,就放松一下肌肉。

nǐ yàoshi juéde liǎng yǎn zhōuwéi jǐn bēng, jiù fàngsōng yíxià jīròu。

If you feel a tenseness around the eyes, relax your muscles.
9
安排一下把病历转给你的新医生的事宜。

ānpái yíxià bǎ bìnglì zhuǎi gěi nǐ de xīn yīshēng de shìyí。

Arrange for the transfer of medical records to your new doctor.
10
把下列数字和你卡片上的数字比照一下。

bǎ xià liè shùzì hé nǐ kǎpiàn shàng de shùzì bǐ zhào yíxià。

Check the numbers below against the numbers on your card.
11
请你等我一下。

Qǐng nǐ děng wǒ yíxià.

Please wait for me for a moment.
12
你可以帮我看一下这个吗?

Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ kàn yíxià zhège ma?

Can you help me take a look at this?
13
让我试一下这个游戏。

Ràng wǒ shì yíxià zhège yóuxì.

Let me try this game.
14
我想问一下这个问题。

Wǒ xiǎng wèn yíxià zhège wèntí.

I would like to ask about this question.
15
你能帮我看一下这本书吗?

Nǐ néng bāng wǒ kàn yíxià zhè běn shū ma?

Can you help me take a look at this book?
16
请你试一下这道菜。

Qǐng nǐ shì yíxià zhè dào cài.

Please give this dish a try.

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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.'

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