一 + 量 + 高过 + 一 + 量
each one more … than the last
Structure
一 ＋ 量词 ＋ 单音节形容词 ＋ 过 ＋ 一 ＋ 量词
What it means
“Each one more … than the last”: shows a series building up step by step. 过 means “to surpass”, so 高过 = 比…高.
How it is built
一 + measure word + one-syllable adj + 过 + 一 + same measure word: 歌声一浪高过一浪 (the singing rose wave upon wave). Also 一声紧过一声, 一个强过一个, 一年好过一年.
When to use it
Vivid: description, reports and speeches; 一浪高过一浪 is a set phrase for cheering, calls or campaigns that keep building. The plain version is 一天比一天 + adjective (一天比一天好).
Watch out
One-syllable adjective, no 更, keep both 一: ✗ 一浪高大过一浪 ✗ 一浪更高过一浪 ✗ 浪高过浪 ✓ 一浪高过一浪.
Examples
几组人先后唱起同一段旋律，歌声一浪高过一浪。
Group after group takes up the same tune, and the singing rises in wave after wave, each higher than the last.
开场的《黄河船夫曲》里，号子一声紧过一声。
In the opening Boatmen’s Song the work calls come faster and faster.
这家公司推出的新手机一款强过一款，难怪销量越来越好。
Each new phone the company brings out is better than the last, so no wonder sales keep growing.
Learn this in Lesson 241 · HSK 9+: 黄河大合唱 (The Yellow River Cantata)
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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