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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing a tentative or brief action with Verb + 了 + 一下 (le yīxià)

    Actions & Events
    Aspect & Tense

    Structure

    Verb + 了 + 一下

    Explanation

    The pattern Verb + 了 + 一下 is used to express that an action was done briefly or tentatively. Adding 一下 after the verb softens the action, suggesting it lasted only a short moment. For example, 停了一下 means "paused for a moment."

    Examples

    • 她犹豫了一下，还是决定去了。

      Tā yóuyùle yīxià, háishi juédìng qù le.

      She hesitated for a moment, but still decided to go.

    • 他想了一下，然后点了点头。

      Tā xiǎngle yīxià, ránhòu diǎnle diǎn tóu.

      He thought for a moment, then nodded.

    • 老师停了一下，看了看大家的反应。

      Lǎoshī tíngle yīxià, kànle kàn dàjiā de fǎnyìng.

      The teacher paused for a moment and looked at everyone's reactions.

    Expressing a tentative or brief action with Verb + 了 + 一下 (le yīxià) | Chinese Grammar