一言不合就…
at the first disagreement; at the drop of a hat
Structure
主语 一言不合就 动作
What it means
Someone does something sudden and rash at the first disagreement, or for no good reason at all; often said jokingly.
How it is built
Subject + 一言不合就 + action: 两个司机一言不合就吵了起来 (At the first cross word the two drivers started rowing).
When to use it
From an old phrase (一言不合，拔刀相向); since about 2016 an internet favourite for impulsive acts (一言不合就唱歌). Speech, social media, lively headlines; formal writing says 稍有分歧就 or 因为一点小事就.
Watch out
It needs 就 and an action after it, and suits rash acts, not considered decisions. ✗他一言不合。 ✓他一言不合就走了。
Examples
现在有的年轻夫妻一言不合就闹离婚。
Nowadays some young couples rush off to divorce at the first disagreement.
两个司机一言不合就在路边吵了起来。
At the first cross word the two drivers started rowing at the side of the road.
他一言不合就辞职，这已经是今年的第三份工作了。
He quits at the drop of a hat; this is already his third job this year.
Learn this in Lesson 152 · HSK 7–9: 离婚冷静期 (The divorce cooling-off period)
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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