一直
straight on; all along, the whole time
Structure
主语 + 一直 + 动词／形容词 · 一直 + 往 + 方向 + 走
What it means
一直 has two jobs: in directions, “straight on” (一直往前走); with other verbs and adjectives, “all along, the whole time” (我一直在等你).
How it is built
一直 + 往 + direction + 走: 你一直往前走，就能看见银行 (Keep going straight and you’ll see the bank). Or 一直 + verb／adjective: 昨天一直下雨 (It rained all day yesterday).
When to use it
Use it for keeping the same direction, or for something that kept going. The course writes yī zhí; in speech 一 is said yì before 直 (the tone change of p-3).
Watch out
一直 comes before the verb (or before 往 or 在), never at the end. ✗ 往东走一直。 ✓ 一直往东走。
Examples
你一直往前走，就能看见银行。
Keep going straight and you’ll see the bank.
我一直在等你。
I’ve been waiting for you all this time.
昨天一直下雨。
It rained all day yesterday.
他最近一直很忙。
He’s been busy the whole time lately.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 11: 一直往东走 (Directions in the city)
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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