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一味

blindly; doing only one thing, whatever the situation (critical)

Structure
一味 (地) 动词

What it means

“Blindly; only ever”: sticking to one thing and nothing else, whatever the situation. The speaker disapproves.

How it is built

一味(地) + verb: 教育孩子不能一味批评,也要多鼓励 (you can’t just criticise children; encourage them too).

When to use it

Written and slightly formal, common in comment and advice, often in the frame 不能一味…,也要…. Typical verbs: 追求, 强调, 顺着, 模仿.

Watch out

✗ 一味努力 ✓ 一直努力 or 始终努力. 一味 is always critical, so never use it to praise steady effort.

Examples

在婚姻、职业这样的大事上一味顺着父母,并不是真正的孝。
Going along with your parents blindly on big questions such as marriage and career is not true filial piety.
教育孩子不能一味批评,也要多鼓励。
In bringing up children you cannot just criticise; you have to encourage them too.
这家店一味降价,结果东西的质量越来越差。
The shop did nothing but cut prices, and the quality of its goods got worse and worse.
Learn this in Lesson 46 · HSK 5–6: 孝与顺 (Filial piety)
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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