HSK 4
动词+一X是一X
dòng cí + yī X shì yī X
Structure: Verb + 一X 是 一X
Explanation
The structure 动词+一X是一X (verb + 一X 是 一X) is a way of emphasizing, expressing 'handle whatever you can, one at a time', dealing with each task at hand without worrying about the distant future. X here is a measure word (a word indicating a counting unit such as 'item, animal, day, question') accompanying the number 一 (yī).
verb + 一 (yī) + [measure word] + 是 (shì) + 一 (yī) + [that same measure word]. For example 过一天是一天 guò yì tiān shì yì tiān = 'live one day at a time'; 做一件是一件 = 'do one task at a time, whatever gets done'.
When circumstances are difficult or the work is too much, the speaker accepts reality and advocates handling each part at hand, without dwelling on faraway matters. It carries a resigned, pragmatic tone.
The measure words in both halves must be the SAME (一天...一天, 一件...一件, 一道题...一道题); they cannot differ. The number is always 一 yī.
Vietnamese learners often use two different measure words in the two halves, or forget the 是 shì in the middle. Also, don't replace 一 with another number.
Examples
Although life is very hard, we still can't just live one day at a time without a plan.
There really is too much to do; let's just get done whatever we can, one thing at a time.
Do the problems one at a time, whatever gets done — you'll surely finish them.
Practice
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Learn “动词+一X是一X” effectively
The grammar point “动词+一X是一X” (Structure: Verb + 一X 是 一X) is one of the key structures at HSK 4. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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