一板一眼 (yī bǎn yī yǎn) — following a prescribed pattern scrupulously; methodical and meticulous; (in opera) keeping strict time

Definition

An idiom for doing things strictly step-by-step, following a set pattern. It often carries a slightly stiff or formal tone — careful and exact, not casual.

idiom
following a prescribed pattern scrupulouslymethodical and meticulous(in opera) keeping strict time

Examples

  • 一板一眼，。
    Tā zuò shì yī bǎn yī yǎn, měi yí bù dōu kǎo lǜ dé hěn zhōu quán.
    He does things very methodically, considering every step carefully.
  • 一板一眼，。
    Zhè wèi lǎo shī jiǎng kè yī bǎn yī yǎn, xué shēng men jué de hěn hǎo dǒng.
    This teacher lectures in a very structured way, making it easy for students to understand.
  • 一板一眼，。
    Tā chàng zhè shǒu lǎo gē yī bǎn yī yǎn, fēi cháng yǒu yùn wèi.
    She sings this old song with strict rhythm, full of charm.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

一板one beat
一yīone板bǎnbeat
偏正Modifier + head
一眼one eye/beat
一yīone眼yǎneye/beat
偏正Modifier + head

板 and 眼 are beats, and pairing each with 一 gives a strict, regular pattern.

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 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùtree
Sound part声符shēngfú
反
反fǎn板bǎn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

板 pairs 木 (tree) with 反 as a sound part.

Open 板 →

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 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
目目mùeye
Sound part声符shēngfú
艮
艮gèn眼yǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

眼 combines 目, which is an eye, with 艮, which gives the character's sound.

Open 眼 →

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