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Which is the correct use of this grammar pattern?

我一字一字地学习汉语。

我一个字一个字地学习汉语。

The first one feels correct to me. The pattern is:

一{MW,N}一{MW,N} + 地 + V
JamesD
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  • Both are fine. 我一个字一个字地学习汉语 is stronger than the other one in the sense that 一个字一个字地 emphasizes you learn each Chinese word by "个". – Nobody Dec 09 '13 at 10:47
  • That's very helpful, thank you. However, I cannot mark the question as answered unless you answer it. :) – JamesD Dec 09 '13 at 11:51
  • Both are acceptable. – Casper Feb 02 '14 at 12:05

3 Answers3

7

Both are correct, but the second one sounds more natural to a native speaker.

个 is omitted only in some idiomatic phrases like 一字一句 or 一字排开(though here 一 doesn't mean the number, but the shape of the number).

In Chinese, it's more idiomatic to use a measure word between the number and the noun in most cases.

deutschZuid
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leetom
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As other people have pointed out, both versions are correct. However, I prefer the second one (一个字一个字) for two reasons:

  1. 一个字一个字 has a stronger emphasis on learning by INDIVIDUAL characters, and thus implies a higher degree of difficulty and diligence.

  2. number + noun (without MW inbetween) is a somewhat archaic structure. As such, it is more frequently seen in set phrases. Therefore, when a native speaker of Chinese sees the first 一字, he tends to think of idioms that contains this expression, for instance 一字一句, 一字一顿... This may cause a mild diversion.

Mingjing Zhang
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Both are OK.

As a native speaker, I prefer the second one.

From your question, I gather that we have something in common when it comes to learning a foreign language. But now, I have begun to understand that grammar is not so important. Like you, I paid a lot of attention to English grammar while learning....

As for this question, nobody will care about this detail.

user238264
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fightwithbug
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  • Thanks for the response. Someone else was asking about this issue and I wasn't sure, so I put the question here. :)

    I agree—grammar isn't the most important; it's better to focus on speaking and immersion (being in the country or listening/reading a lot of media). Best of luck!

     – JamesD Dec 23 '13 at 21:38