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一点一滴 (yī diǎn yī dī) — every little bit; accumulated small amounts

Definition

A set-phrase noun meaning every tiny piece, emphasizing accumulation over time. Common in written Chinese, especially for effort or progress built up bit by bit.

noun
every little bitaccumulated small amounts

Examples

  • 一点一滴。
    Zhè xiē yī diǎn yī dī dōu shì tā duō nián nǔ lì de jié guǒ.
    These little bits are the result of his many years of effort.
  • 一点一滴。
    Wǒ men bì xū zhēn xī měi yì fēn yī diǎn yī dī.
    We must cherish every single bit.
  • ，。
    Měi yì yī diǎn yī dī dōu hěn zhēn guì, bù néng làng fèi.
    Every little bit is precious; don't waste it.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

一点a dot
一yīone点diǎndot
偏正Modifier + head
一滴a drop
一yīone滴dīdrop
偏正Modifier + head

一点 and 一滴 are parallel small amounts, together meaning every little bit.

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 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
黑黑hēiblack
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn點diǎn(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Open 点 →

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
水水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
啻
啻chì滴dī
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

滴 has 水, meaning water, on the left, and 啻 on the right, which tells how it sounds.

Open 滴 →
Appears in
Idioms & Set PhrasesQuantity & Amount

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