一 + 量词 + 接 + 一 + 量词
one after another, in an unbroken chain
Structure
一 量词 接 一 量词 (+ 地) + 动词 / 一 量词 接 一 量词 + 的 + 名词
What it means
One after another, in an unbroken chain: each follows hard on the last, with no gap.
How it is built
一 + measure word + 接 + 一 + same measure word, then (地) + verb or 的 + noun: 运输机一架接一架地起飞 (the transports take off one after another); 一辆接一辆的车.
When to use it
Vivid narrative and feature writing. 相继 is formal and neutral; 陆续 is in ones and twos over a period; this frame stresses the unbroken chain. Match the measure word to the noun.
Watch out
Keep the second 一: ✗ 一架接架 ✓ 一架接一架. For one person doing the same thing again and again, say 一次又一次.
Examples
运输机一架接一架起飞,向东飞去。
The transports take off one after another and head east.
春运期间,旅客一批接一批地走进车站。
During the Spring Festival rush, travellers pour into the station batch after batch.
坏消息一个接一个地传来,大家的心越来越沉。
Bad news came in, one piece after another, and everyone’s spirits sank lower and lower.
Learn this in Lesson 205 · HSK 7–9: 飞虎队与驼峰航线 (The Flying Tigers and the Hump)
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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