Meanings of 一口气
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Podcast: 一口气
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AI Study Notes for 一口气
一气呵成 (yīqìhēchéng) - use 一口气 for emphasis on continuous effort in a single breath; 一气呵成 focuses more on the seamless completion of an action.
Common mistakes include confusing 一口气 with similar phrases like 一下 (yīxià), which means 'a little bit' and implies brevity. This phrase is informal and can be used in both spoken and written contexts, but it may not be appropriate for very formal settings. Collocations include 一口气喝完 (drink in one go) or 一口气读完 (read in one go).
This phrase is not found in HSK vocabulary lists but it can be useful for HSK 3-4 learners who are expanding their ability to express continuous actions. Focus on using it in sentences that describe your own experiences of completing tasks in one effort.
Learners often confuse 一口气 with 一下, mistakenly using it to describe brief actions. For example, saying '我一口气吃了一个苹果' (I briefly ate an apple) is incorrect; it should convey a sense of completing the action without pause, like '我一口气读完了这本书' (I read this book in one go).
Pronunciation of 一口气
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Jason Explains 一口气 to You
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Component Characters
How to say one breath in Chinese
“one breath” in Chinese is一口气
一口气 refers to completing an action in one continuous effort, as if done in a single breath. This phrase can be used to describe tasks accomplished without interruption, such as finishing a long speech or reading a book in one sitting. It emphasizes the idea of persistence and determination.
When to use 一口气
Common mistakes include confusing 一口气 with similar phrases like 一下 (yīxià), which means 'a little bit' and implies brevity. This phrase is informal and can be used in both spoken and written contexts, but it may not be appropriate for very formal settings. Collocations include 一口气喝完 (drink in one go) or 一口气读完 (read in one go).
一口气 or something close to it
一气呵成 (yīqìhēchéng) - use 一口气 for emphasis on continuous effort in a single breath; 一气呵成 focuses more on the seamless completion of an action.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 一口气 with 一下, mistakenly using it to describe brief actions. For example, saying '我一口气吃了一个苹果' (I briefly ate an apple) is incorrect; it should convey a sense of completing the action without pause, like '我一口气读完了这本书' (I read this book in one go).
Write 一口气
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Practice writing 一口气 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 一口气
一口气 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Indicates performing an action in one breath or at a stretch.
他一口气读完了这本书。
He finished reading the book in one breath.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
听了他的话，我稍稍松了____。
After hearing his words, I felt slightly relieved.
Usage Notes for 一口气
一口气 is typically used with action verbs. Avoid using it with static verbs.
他一口气是老师。
He is a teacher in one breath.
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他____是老师。
He is a teacher in one breath.
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Frequently Asked Questions about 一口气
The phrase 一口气 combines '一口' (one mouthful) and '气' (breath), suggesting the idea of taking a single breath to accomplish something. Its usage reflects both physical and metaphorical endurance in Chinese culture. It highlights the importance of determination in completing tasks efficiently.
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