一则 (yī zé) — (conjunction) used to enumerate two reasons or aspects; firstly ... secondly; on the one hand ... on the other hand

Definition

Classical/literary conjunction used to list reasons or aspects, almost always paired with 二则: 'on the one hand … on the other hand'. Far more formal and written than everyday connectives like 而且 or 一方面.

conjunction
used to enumerate two reasons or aspectsfirstly ... secondlyon the one hand ... on the other hand
Easily confused

Examples

  • 一则，，。
    yī zé Tiān qì bù hǎo, èr zé wǒ shēn tǐ yě bù shū fu, suǒ yǐ méi qù.
    Firstly the weather was bad, and secondly I wasn't feeling well either, so I didn't go.
  • ，一则，一则。
    Tā xuǎn zé zhè jiā gōng sī, yī zé lí jiā jìn, yī zé xīn zī bú cuò.
    He chose this company because, on the one hand, it's close to home, and on the other hand, the salary is good.
  • 一则，，。
    yī zé Tā jīng yàn fēng fù, èr zé tā tài dù rèn zhēn, suǒ yǐ zhè cì rèn wu jiāo gěi le tā.
    First, he has rich experience, and second, he has a serious attitude, so we gave him this task.

Origin

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 則; 则 is its simplified writing.

  • 鼎鼎dǐngding, a bronze cauldron for cooking or sacrificial rituals
  • 刂刀dāoknife

The traditional form 則 pairs 鼎, a bronze cauldron, with 刂, a knife, possibly showing carving on a bronze vessel; the simplified 则 is a later shorthand.

Open 则 →

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