一 + V + 不 + V
not … at all; without the slightest …
Structure
一 动词／名词 不 动词
What it means
“Not … at all, not even once”: a fixed frame, mostly set four-character phrases.
How it is built
一 + verb, or a noun／measure (言, 声, 字, 分), + 不 + verb: 一动不动, 一言不发, 一声不吭, 一字不差, 一分不少. 他躺在地上，一动不动 (he lay perfectly still).
When to use it
They describe a state, so they often follow 得 or come before 地: 坐得一动不动, 一言不发地坐着. For ordinary “not at all” use 一点儿也不 or 连…都不.
Watch out
Do not invent new ones with two-syllable verbs: ✗ 一休息不休息. In a few set phrases 一 means “once”: 一去不返 (gone, never back), 一病不起 (fell ill and never got up).
Examples
导演一喊“开始”，他就倒在地上，一动不动。
The moment the director calls “Action!”, he drops to the ground and lies perfectly still.
整整两个小时的会，他一言不发。
The meeting went on for a full two hours, and he did not say a word.
这篇课文她背得一字不差。
She recited the text word-perfect.
Learn this in Lesson 233 · HSK 9+: 横店的群演 (The extras of Hengdian)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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