一天比一天 · 一年比一年
… by …; more and more: each one more … than the last
Structure
一 + 量词 + 比 + 一 + 量词 + 形容词
What it means
With time words it shows steady change, “day by day, year by year”, like 越来越. With things or people (一个比一个) it means “each one more … than the last”.
How it is built
一 + measure word + 比 + 一 + the same measure word + adjective: 天气一天比一天冷了 (the weather is getting colder day by day). Also 一年比一年, 一次比一次好, 一个比一个好吃.
When to use it
Close to 越来越, but it stresses change step by step, each day, year or time: 他的考试成绩一次比一次好. 一个比一个 praises or compares the members of a group: 奶奶做的菜一个比一个好吃.
Watch out
Don’t put 很 or 非常 before the adjective: ✗ 天气一天比一天很冷。 ✓ 天气一天比一天冷。 Use the same measure word both times.
Examples
天气一天比一天冷了。
The weather is getting colder day by day.
他的考试成绩一次比一次好。
His exam results get better every time.
奶奶做的菜一个比一个好吃。
Each of Grandma’s dishes is tastier than the last.
Learn this in HSK 4 · Lesson 8: 微信红包 (Digital red envelopes)
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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