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点点滴滴 (diǎn diǎn dī dī) — small bits and pieces; tiny details; bit by bit; gradually (of accumulating or experiencing)

Definition

Refers to small, scattered bits and the gradual way they accumulate (memories, details, experiences). Always used as a bound phrase, never alone.

bound form
small bits and piecestiny detailsbit by bitgradually (of accumulating or experiencing)

Examples

  • 点点滴滴。
    Shēng huó zhōng de diǎn diǎn dī dī dōu hěn zhí dé zhēn xī.
    Every small detail in life is worth cherishing.
  • ，点点滴滴。
    Tā jì zhù le lǎo shī shuō de měi yí jù huà, diǎn diǎn dī dī dōu bú fàng guò.
    He remembered every word the teacher said, not missing a single detail.
  • 点点滴滴。
    Zhī shi shì kào diǎn diǎn dī dī jī lěi qǐ lái de.
    Knowledge is accumulated bit by bit.

Origin

Reduplicated word
构词法gòucífǎ
重叠chóngdiéReduplication

A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.

点diǎndot
点diǎndot
滴dīdrip
滴dīdrip

The tiny 点 (dot) and 滴 (drip) are doubled to suggest bit-by-bit accumulation.

Characters in this word

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 →

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 →

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 →

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
Abstract Concepts

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