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一气呵成 (yí qì hē chéng) — (of writing, speech, performance) to flow smoothly without breaks; to complete something in one go without stopping

Definition

An idiom praising work done in one smooth, unbroken sweep — writing, painting, or any task finished in a single stretch. Often used as a compliment for a fluent performance.

idiom
(of writing, speech, performance) to flow smoothly without breaksto complete something in one go without stopping

Examples

  • 一气呵成，。
    Zhè piān wén zhāng yí qì hē chéng, dú qǐ lái fēi cháng shùn chàng.
    This essay flows smoothly without interruption; it reads very naturally.
  • 一气呵成。
    Tā yòng le sān gè xiǎo shí yí qì hē chéng dì huà wán le zhè fú huà.
    He finished this painting in one go, taking three hours without a break.
  • 一气呵成，。
    Zhè ge xiàng mù xū yào yí qì hē chéng, bù néng zhōng tú tíng xià lái.
    This project needs to be completed in one continuous effort; we can't stop halfway.

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 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 氣; 气 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
气
气qì氣qì
Same sound today

The traditional form 氣 pairs 米 (rice) with 气, which supplies the sound; the simplified 气 is a later abbreviation.

Open 气 →

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
口口kǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
可
可kě呵hē
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left part 口 (mouth) points to a mouth action, while 可 gives the sound.

Open 呵 →

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
戊戊wù
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng成chéng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

成 puts 戊, a weapon, beside 丁, which gives the sound. The weapon part relates to protection, as in the old sense of city walls.

Open 成 →
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Idioms & Set Phrases

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