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一鼓作气 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
一鼓作气yìgǔzuòqìin a spurt of energyHSK 7, unknown, 25 strokes, rank #36321, Very Hard
yìgǔzuòqì(yi4gu3zuo4qi4)yi gu zuo qi T1
  1. 1in a spurt of energy
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March 24, 2026

一鼓作气(一鼓作氣)yìgǔzuòqì(yi4gu3zuo4qi4)

一鼓作气 is an idiomatic expression that means to make a concerted effort or to exert oneself in a burst of energy to achieve a goal. It is often used in contexts where sustained motivation is needed to complete a task or overcome an obstacle, emphasizing the importance of momentum in achieving success.

Strokes25Frequency#36321DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of exerting oneself in a concentrated burst of energy is reflected in traditional Chinese values around perseverance and collective effort, often highlighted in stories of teamwork in historical battles or in modern contexts like group projects.

Memory tip

Imagine a drummer striking a drum (鼓) with all his might (一) to rally the troops. The first drumbeat sets the tone and energizes everyone to charge forward (作气), symbolizing the collective effort to push through challenges.

Meanings of 一鼓作气

yìgǔzuòqì(yi4gu3zuo4qi4)
1in a spurt of energy
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About 一鼓作气

一鼓作气Simplified
一鼓作氣Traditional
25Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 一鼓作气

Usage Notes

This idiom is generally used in a motivational context, often in both formal and informal settings. A common mistake is to separate the components or use them individually, which diminishes the expression's impact. Be cautious of the tone; ensure that each syllable is pronounced accurately to convey the correct meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although this idiom is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it incorporates vocabulary and concepts from HSK 3 and above. Students should focus on understanding idiomatic expressions as they often encapsulate cultural meanings and nuances that are crucial for fluency.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse this idiom with similar expressions, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '一鼓作气完成' instead of '一鼓作气来完成' can sound awkward; always include '来' to indicate the action to be taken.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 一鼓作气

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Idiom spotlight: 一鼓作气

Chengyu origin story
Literal meaning:one drum make energy

Component characters

一yīone
HSK 11 strokes一
View full entry
鼓gǔdrum; to beat, to strike; to rouse
HSK 513 strokes鼓
View full entry
作zuōto do
HSK 67 strokes亻
View full entry
气qìgas
HSK 44 strokes气
View full entry

How to say in a spurt of energy in Chinese

“in a spurt of energy” in Chinese is一鼓作气yìgǔzuòqì

一鼓作气 is an idiomatic expression that means to make a concerted effort or to exert oneself in a burst of energy to achieve a goal. It is often used in contexts where sustained motivation is needed to complete a task or overcome an obstacle, emphasizing the importance of momentum in achieving success.

When to use 一鼓作气

This idiom is generally used in a motivational context, often in both formal and informal settings. A common mistake is to separate the components or use them individually, which diminishes the expression's impact. Be cautious of the tone; ensure that each syllable is pronounced accurately to convey the correct meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse this idiom with similar expressions, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '一鼓作气完成' instead of '一鼓作气来完成' can sound awkward; always include '来' to indicate the action to be taken.

Write 一鼓作气

一
鼓
作
气

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Frequently asked questions about 一鼓作气

Yes, it is appropriate in both casual and formal conversations to express determination.

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