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一次性 (yī cì xìng) — one-time, single-use; disposable (for goods)

Definition

Adjective meaning 'one-time' or 'single-use' — describes an event that happens only once (一次性支付 a one-time payment) or an item meant to be thrown away after one use (一次性手套 disposable gloves).

adjective
one-timesingle-usedisposable (for goods)

Examples

  • 一次性。
    Zhè xiē shǒu tào shì yī cì xìng de.
    These gloves are disposable.
  • 。
    Zhè shì yí cì xìng zhī fù.
    This is a one-time payment.
  • 。
    Zhè shì yí gè yí cì xìng huó dòng.
    This is a one-off event.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

一次one time
一yīone次cìtime
偏正Modifier + head
性xìng

一 and 次 mean one time, and 性 gives a one-time quality.

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 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The old form of 次 shows a person exhaling, with the marks above the figure representing breath.

Open 次 →

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
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
生
生shēng性xìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

性 is built from 忄 (the heart) and 生 (a sound clue). The heart part connects the word to a person's inner nature or quality.

Open 性 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5Frequency & Duration

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