一
yī
One, 1
How to use 一 (yī) + measure word with 地 (de) before a verb
一 (yī) + Measure Word + 一 (yī) + Measure Word + 地 (de) + Verb
一 (yī) + measure word + 地 (dì) — one by one before a verb
HSK 2Measure Words
一 (yī) + Measure Word + 一 (yī) + Measure Word + 地 (de) + Verb
HSK 2Measure Words一 (yī) + measure word + 地 (dì) — one by one before a verb
Rule structure
The 一 (yī) + measure word reduplication shows that an action is performed sequentially for each individual item in a group. It is often used adverbially before the verb.
Rule structure
The 一 (yī) + measure word reduplication shows that an action is performed sequentially for each individual item in a group. It is often used adverbially before the verb.
Examples
他一本一本地读完了这些书。
Tā yī běn yī běn de dú wán le zhèxiē shū.
He finished reading these books one by one.
他两件两件买衣服。
Tā liǎngjiàn liǎngjiàn mǎi yīfú.
He buys clothes two at a time.
他两个两个地走。
Tā liǎnggè liǎnggè de zǒu.
He walked two at a time.
Examples
他一本一本地读完了这些书。
Tā yī běn yī běn de dú wán le zhèxiē shū.
He finished reading these books one by one.
他两件两件买衣服。
Tā liǎngjiàn liǎngjiàn mǎi yīfú.
He buys clothes two at a time.
他两个两个地走。
Tā liǎnggè liǎnggè de zǒu.
He walked two at a time.
Practice
Build the sentence
Drag the characters to put them in the correct order
Characters
Words from this rule
地
de
Adverb suffix
他
tā
He
本
běn
Measure word for books and notebooks; root, origin
读
dú
To read, to study, to read aloud
完
wán
To finish (post-verbal resultative particle)
了
le
Particle (completed action or change of state)
这些
zhè xiē
These
书
shū
Book
两
liǎng
Two, pair (before classifiers)
件
jiàn
(classifier for things, clothing, events)
买
mǎi
To buy
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “one by one before a verb” in Chinese with 一 + measure word + 地?
Use the structure: 一 (yī) + Measure Word + 一 (yī) + Measure Word + 地 (de) + Verb. For example: 他一本一本地读完了这些书。 — “He finished reading these books one by one”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他一本一本地读完了这些书。 — “He finished reading these books one by one”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 2.
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More HSK 2 grammar rules
了 — already done
Subj. + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
最 — superlative “most”
最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))
到 — direction with “to go to”
到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)
虽然 — although… but…
虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯
一下 — verbing briefly
Verb + 一下 (yíxià)
给 — for (someone)
Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Recipient + Verb Phrase
对 — attitude toward something
Subj. + 对 (duì) + Object / Topic + Verb / Evaluative Phrase
因为 — cause and effect
因为 (yīnwèi)⋯⋯ 所以 (suǒyǐ)⋯⋯