Discussion of 下儿/下兒 [xiàr] indicating the repetition of an action

Discussion of 下儿/下兒

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In Chinese, there are two categories of measure words: those indicating units of persons or things, and those indicating the frequency of an action.
As a measure word, 下(儿) belongs to both groups. When it is a verbal measure word (the 2nd category), 下(儿) can be translated as "once", but to differentiate it from other verbal measure words such as 趟 and 遍, we need to point out that 下(儿) has two meanings:
Meaning 1: number of times that something happens
E.g.1 - 铃铛响了两下。 [phr] The bell rang twice.
Meaning 2. an action that lasts for a very short time.
E.g.2 - 看一下 [v] have a look
一下(儿) has the function as a verbal reduplication. E.g. 看一下(儿)，看一看，看看 all have the same functions.

If you would like to learn more about other similar verbal measure words, please check out these entries in our dictionary: 次(ci4)，趟(tang4) and 遍 (bian4).

lisaC

Verbal measure words are measure words that indicate the frequency of an action.
1. 次 is the most often used measure word that generally indicates the frequency of an action; 次, as a verbal measure word, can also appear before a noun/nominal phrase which has to be something that can repeatedly happen.
Examples:
这种药每日吃一次。[phr] You should take the medicine once a day.
这次考试很简单。 r/s [phr] The exam was very simple.

2. 下儿 has two different indications. The first one is the number of times that the action happens; the second one indicates an action lasting for a very short time or an action done in a casual way.
Examples:
我用棍子杵了他一下儿。 -/- [phr] I give him a prod with a stick.
我去一下儿。 -/- [phr] I will go there for a moment; I will be away for a moment.

3. 遍 indicates the complete duration of an action from beginning to end. The object of the action usually involves a certain length, usually involving text or language, e.g. article, film, music, words said, etc.
Example:
请重复一遍您的地址。 r/s [phr] Please repeat your address.

4. 趟 indicates an action that involves going back and forth. 趟 can also be used on trains or buses.
Examples:
我去了趟体育场。 r/s [phr] I went to the stadium.
这趟车几点发车？ r/s [phr] What time does the train leave?

lisaC

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