Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning to do something smoothly without interruption, like completing an essay or a task in one continuous effort. The literal image is 'one breath completes it'. Use it to praise a piece of writing that flows naturally, or a project done without pauses. Note: the standard pronunciation is yí qì hē chéng, though the dictionary entry shows a shortened form.
f.e.
(of writing, speech, performance) to flow smoothly without breaksto complete something in one go without stopping
Examples
- 一气呵成，。Zhè piān wénzhāng yī qì ā, dú qǐlai fēicháng shùnchàng.This essay flows smoothly without interruption; it reads very naturally.
- 一气呵成。Tā yòng le sān ge xiǎoshí yī qì ā de huà wán le zhè fú huà.He finished this painting in one go, taking three hours without a break.
- 一气呵成，。Zhège xiàngmù xūyào yī qì ā, bù néng zhōngtú tíng xiàlai.This project needs to be completed in one continuous effort; we can't stop halfway.
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