左
zuǒ
Left
左 (zuǒ) 右 (yòu) — scattered repetition
左 (zuǒ) + A + 右 (yòu) + B / 东 (dōng) + 一 (yī) + A，西 (xī) + 一 (yī) + A
HSK 63.0
Pattern diagram
左Verb右Verb
东一Measure word，西一Measure word
Rule structure
左 (zuǒ)A右 (yòu)B describes repeated effort, “this way and that” or “in every possible way”; A and B are usually related in meaning, but not every combination is natural. For example, 左思右想 (zuǒ sī yòu xiǎng) means “think it over from different angles”. In 东一 (dōng yī)A，西一 (xī yī)A, A is usually a classifier, sometimes followed by a noun: 东一句西一句 (dōng yí jù xī yí jù), “one remark here, another there”. This pattern conveys scattered or disconnected things “here and there”.
Rule structure
左 (zuǒ)A右 (yòu)B describes repeated effort, “this way and that” or “in every possible way”; A and B are usually related in meaning, but not every combination is natural. For example, 左思右想 (zuǒ sī yòu xiǎng) means “think it over from different angles”. In 东一 (dōng yī)A，西一 (xī yī)A, A is usually a classifier, sometimes followed by a noun: 东一句西一句 (dōng yí jù xī yí jù), “one remark here, another there”. This pattern conveys scattered or disconnected things “here and there”.
Examples
他说话东一句，西一句，大家听不明白。
Tā shuōhuà dōng yí jù, xī yí jù, dàjiā tīng bu míngbai.
He jumps from one thing to another, and nobody can follow what he’s saying.
Examples
他说话东一句，西一句，大家听不明白。
Tā shuōhuà dōng yí jù, xī yí jù, dàjiā tīng bu míngbai.
He jumps from one thing to another, and nobody can follow what he’s saying.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “scattered repetition” in Chinese with 左 右?
Use the structure: 左 (zuǒ) + A + 右 (yòu) + B / 东 (dōng) + 一 (yī) + A，西 (xī) + 一 (yī) + A. For example: 他说话东一句，西一句，大家听不明白。 — “He jumps from one thing to another, and nobody can follow what he’s saying”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他说话东一句，西一句，大家听不明白。 — “He jumps from one thing to another, and nobody can follow what he’s saying”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 6.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 6 grammar rules
算了 vs 得了 — closing a discussion
算了 (suàn le): close the topic / 得了 (dé le): cut the other person off
到 — up to, until
到 (dào) + Time/Limit + 为止 (wéizhǐ)
那倒是 — that's true
那 (nà) + 倒 (dào) + (也 (yě)) + 是 (shì)
这 那 — this and that
Verb + 这 (zhè) + Verb + 那 (nà)
放着 — leaving something unused
放着 (fàngzhe) + X + 不 (bù) + Y
不 — not until you do, then…
不 (bù) + X + 不 (bù) + Result₁，一 (yī) + X + (就 (jiù)) + Result₂
好你个 — expressive address, mock reproach
好 (hǎo) + 你 (nǐ) + 个 (ge) + X (person)
到 — reaching someone personally
X (action/problem) + 到 (dào) + Y (person) + 头上来了 (tóu shang lái le)