How common it is
一下 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say yī xià slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“一下”用于表示短暂的时间或动作，比如请求别人帮忙或者表达暂时的意思。
yī xià yòng yú biǎoshì duǎnzhàn de shíjiān huò gōngzuò, rúkě jǐngqǐ bùrén bāngzhù huò bǎi lù chángguǎn zhèngzài.
"一下" is used to indicate a brief moment or action, such as asking for someone's help or expressing a temporary situation.
Context note
“一下”常用于日常对话中，比如请求帮助、表达暂时的意思或者表示短暂的动作。
yī xià cháng yòng yú rìcháng huàdào zhōng, bǐrú qǐngqiú bāngzhù, biǎo达暂时的意思 huò bǎi gěi zhǎngduàn de gōngzuò.
"一下" is commonly used in daily conversations, such as asking for help, expressing a temporary meaning or indicating a brief action.
5 examples
我等一下就来。
wǒ děng yí xià jiù lái。
I will come right after this.
你帮我一下，好吗？
nǐ bāng wǒ yí xià， hǎo ma？
Can you help me for a moment, please?
他请医生看一下病。
tā qǐng yī shēng kàn yí xià bìng。
He asked the doctor to check his illness briefly.
我等一下再告诉你。
wǒ děng yí xià zài gào sù nǐ。
I will tell you later after this.
你帮我拿一下东西。
nǐ bāng wǒ ná yí xià dōng xī。
Can you help me get something for a moment?
5 mini stories
妈妈叫我等一下就去超市买牛奶。爸爸说他也要一起去，所以他们一起等一下再去。
mā ma jiào wǒ děng yí xià jiù qù chāo shì mǎi niú nǎi。 bà ba shuō tā yě yào yì qǐ qù， suǒ yǐ tā men yì qǐ děng yí xià zài qù。
Mom told me to go to the supermarket to buy milk after this. Dad said he wanted to go together, so they waited a moment before going.
小明请老师看一下他的作业。老师说他可以现在看看，但要等一下才能批改。
xiǎo míng qǐng lǎo shī kàn yí xià tā de zuò yè。 lǎo shī shuō tā kě yǐ xiàn zài kàn kàn， dàn yào děng yí xià cái néng pī gǎi。
Xiaoming asked the teacher to check his homework. The teacher said he could look at it now, but would need a moment before grading.
妈妈让我等一下再吃饭。爸爸说他也要吃，所以他们一起等一下再去餐厅。
mā ma ràng wǒ děng yí xià zài chī fàn。 bà ba shuō tā yě yào chī， suǒ yǐ tā men yì qǐ děng yí xià zài qù cān tīng。
Mom told me to wait for a moment before eating. Dad said he wanted to eat too, so they waited together before going to the restaurant.
小红请朋友看一下她的新衣服。朋友们都说她穿得很漂亮，但要等一下才能拍照留念。
xiǎo hóng qǐng péng yǒu kàn yí xià tā de xīn yī fú。 péng yǒu men dōu shuō tā chuān dé hěn piào liang， dàn yào děng yí xià cái néng pāi zhào liú niàn。
Xiaohong asked her friends to look at her new clothes. Her friends said she looked very pretty, but they had to wait a moment before taking photos.
爸爸请我帮他拿一下水壶。我说我可以现在帮你，但要等一下才能完成。
bà ba qǐng wǒ bāng tā ná yí xià shuǐ hú。 wǒ shuō wǒ kě yǐ xiàn zài bāng nǐ， dàn yào děng yí xià cái néng wán chéng。
Dad asked me to help him get the water kettle. I said I could help now, but would need a moment to finish.