一下儿

• Pinyin: yī xiàr
• Hanzi breakdown: 一 = one; 下 = indicating downward; 儿 = erhua suffix

Meaning

A bit; briefly; for a moment. Used after a verb to soften the action or indicate it happens quickly or casually.

Attaches directly after a verb to make a request sound less demanding or to indicate a quick, light action. Very common in spoken Mandarin, especially in northern dialects. The erhua (儿) ending is characteristic of Beijing speech but the non-erhua form 一下 is equally natural.

Examples

1. 请你等一下儿。 Please wait a moment.
2. 我想休息一下儿。 I want to rest for a bit.
3. 你看一下儿这个。 Take a look at this.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, requests

Tone: softening

Do Say

• 你帮我看一下儿。(Take a look at this for me.)
• 我出去一下儿，马上回来。(I'll step out for a moment, I'll be right back.)

Don't Say

• 请你一下儿等。(Wrong word order — 一下儿 must follow the verb directly: 请你等一下儿)

Origin & History

Composed of 一 (one) and 下 (down/below), literally suggesting 'one downward action.' The 儿 is an erhua suffix common in northern Chinese dialects. Together they soften the verb it follows.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal