一下 (yīxià) · a bit (after a verb)
一下 (yīxià) means “a bit (after a verb); once; all at once”. It is written with 2 characters: 一 (one) + 下 (down). It is an HSK 1 word in the current exam syllabus (2025).
How 一下 is built
The characters
一 yī · one
What 一 is made of
一 is not built from smaller parts; it is written with 1 strokes.
Origin hint: Represents heaven (天), earth (旦), or the number 1 (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)
下 xià · down
What 下 is made of
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 卜bo — divination
- 丨 — vertical stroke
- 丶 — dot
Origin hint: One stroke under another; compare 上 (above) (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)
Example sentences
Questions about 一下
What does 一下 mean?
一下 (yīxià) means “a bit (after a verb); once; all at once”.
How do you pronounce 一下?
一下 is pronounced yīxià.
Which HSK level is 一下?
一下 is in HSK 1 (exam 2025) and Old HSK 2.
Related words
- 一半yībànhalf
- 一会儿yīhuìra moment
- 一块儿yīkuàirtogether
- 一下儿yīxiàra little while
- 一样yīyàngsame
- 一边yībiānone side
- 一点儿yīdiǎnra little
- 一起yīqǐtogether
- 一些yīxiēsome
- 不一定bùyīdìngnot necessarily
It is part of Old HSK 2 · Group 13: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.