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Expressing "all at once" with 一下子 ("yi1xia4zi")

一下子 yīxiàzi

Adverb
HSK 3

Structure

Subj. + 一下子 + Predicate + 了 Subj. + 一下子 + 就 + Predicate + 了

Translations

  • all at once

Definition

“一下子”是一个副词短语，表示动作或状态在极短的时间内突然发生或完成，相当于“突然”、“瞬间”或“立刻”。

"一下子" is an adverbial phrase indicating that an action or state occurs or completes abruptly in a very short time, equivalent to "suddenly", "in an instant", or "all at once".

Usage

“一下子”常用于动词或形容词前，强调时间短、变化快。可以修饰具体动作（如“一下子站起来”）、状态变化（如“一下子变冷”）、数量变化（如“一下子多了许多人”）等。在口语中使用频繁，有时也用于书面语。

"一下子" is often placed before verbs or adjectives to emphasize a short duration and rapid change. It can modify specific actions (e.g., "stand up suddenly"), state changes (e.g., "suddenly turn cold"), quantity changes (e.g., "suddenly have many more people"), etc. It is frequently used in spoken language and sometimes in written language.

Examples

  • 1 他听到这个消息，一下子愣住了。（He was stunned all at once upon hearing the news.）
  • 2 天气一下子变冷了，记得多穿衣服。（The weather turned cold all at once; remember to wear more clothes.）
  • 3 她一下子就把问题解决了。（She solved the problem all at once.）
  • 4 教室里一下子安静了下来。（The classroom became quiet all of a sudden.）
  • 5 他一下子吃了三碗饭。（He ate three bowls of rice all at once.）

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