一 + 动词 + 再 + 动词
again and again; over and over (usually unwelcome)
Structure
一 单音节动词 再 同一个动词
What it means
Stresses that something happened again and again, more often than it should have, usually with complaint or regret.
How it is built
一 + one-syllable verb + 再 + the same verb: 价格一降再降，还是没人来看 (the price was cut again and again, and still nobody came). Common: 一拖再拖, 一推再推, 一改再改, 一忍再忍, 一错再错.
When to use it
What follows is often the disappointing result (…，还是…). It can also modify a noun: 一拖再拖的工程. It is the vivid fixed-phrase cousin of 一再 (lesson 1-17).
Watch out
Only one-syllable verbs: ✗ 一推迟再推迟。 ✓ 一再推迟。 Don’t confuse it with 一…就… (as soon as).
Examples
此后，债务重组一拖再拖。
After that the debt restructuring was put off again and again.
为了把房子卖出去，业主把价格一降再降，还是没人来看。
To get the house sold, the owner cut the price again and again, and still nobody came to look.
你已经一错再错了，不能再这样下去了。
You have made one mistake after another; this cannot go on.
Learn this in Lesson 70 · HSK 6: 楼市的转折 (The property market turns)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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