Comprehensive Chinese-English Dictionary

一…一… [yī…yī…]

1. 1. (used with two nouns) all; the whole of

   一生一世

   one's whole life; all one's life

2. 2. each; every; single

   一言一行

   every word and deed

   弟弟玩的动作太惊险了,弄得我心里一上一下的。

   他的一举一动都很优雅。

   家乡的一草一木都值得我去珍惜。

3. 3. used with two verbs similar in meaning, to indicate two successive actions

   一瘸一拐

   limping along

   一蹦一跳

   skipping and hopping

   他一瘸一拐地向我走来。

4. 4. used with two verbs contrasting in meaning, to indicate the coordination or alternation of the two actions

   一问一答

   one asking and the other answering

   小王做事总是一板一眼，丝毫不乱。

5. 5. used with two words opposite in meaning, to indicate opposition or contrast

   一东一西

   one east, one west; poles apart

   一长一短

   one short, one long

   他俩一南一北,几年都见不到一次。

   他上衣的两只袖子做得一长一短,明显是次品。