How to use 一……一……
一 + Measure Word + 一 + Measure Word
Repeating 一 with a classifier can describe handling or doing things one unit at a time. The classifier identifies the relevant unit, and a noun may be included when needed. Put the repeated phrase before the action to emphasize separate turns or steps rather than treating the items as one undivided group.
With time units, the same arrangement can describe gradual development from one period to the next. With action-count units, it can emphasize repeated occurrences, especially when 又 links the two parts. These readings depend on what the repeated unit measures. Keep the units parallel and match them to the noun or activity, rather than replacing every classifier with the general 个.
Examples with pinyin and English
别吵， 一个一个说。
Don't argue. Speak one by one.
别着急， 一点一点做。
Don't worry, do it little by little.
请一个房间一个房间检查。
Please inspect room by room.
别拿那么多， 一个一个拿。
Don't carry so much. Carry them one at a time.
What to remember
- Repeat the same appropriate unit on both sides.
- Time units can suggest gradual development.
- Action-count units can express repeated occurrences.
Practise the pattern
Use one example as a model. Change the people, objects or situation, keeping the grammar pattern in the same order. Read the explanation again to check how your sentence uses the construction.
Look up the grammar words
Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.