整整 + 数量
a full, a whole, all of
Structure
整整 数量词 ／ 整整 动词 + 了 + 数量词
What it means
A full, a whole: stresses that an amount is complete, not a bit less, and usually that the speaker finds it a lot.
How it is built
整整 + number + measure word, or 整整 + verb + 了 + amount: 我们整整走了二十公里 (we walked a full twenty kilometres); 整整三年.
When to use it
Use it to make an amount feel large; 才 or 只 do the opposite and make it small (才三年). 多 is fine with it: 整整一个多月.
Watch out
It insists on the full amount, so no 左右 or 大约: ✗ 整整三年左右 ✓ 整整三年. Do not confuse it with 整齐 (neat) or with 整 after a clock time: 三点整 (three o’clock sharp).
Examples
背着二十多公斤的装备，我们整整走了二十公里。
Carrying more than twenty kilos of kit, we walked a full twenty kilometres.
为了抢到演唱会的票，她在电脑前整整守了一个晚上。
To get tickets for the concert she sat at her computer for a whole evening.
这件事他瞒了家里整整三年。
He kept it from his family for three whole years.
Learn this in Lesson 202 · HSK 7–9: 参军 (Joining the army)
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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