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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'one time' with 一次 (yī cì)

    Frequency & Habit
    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Verb + 一次 / 一次 + Verb

    Explanation

    一次 (yī cì) means 'one time' or 'once' and is used to count a single occurrence of an action. It functions as a verbal measure phrase placed after the verb. It can also mean 'one attempt' or be used in the pattern 第一次 (the first time).

    Examples

    • 这部电影我只看了一次就记住了。

      zhè bù diànyǐng wǒ zhǐ kàn le yī cì jiù jìzhù le.

      I remembered this movie after watching it just once.

    • 你能再说一次吗？我没听清。

      nǐ néng zài shuō yī cì ma? wǒ méi tīngqīng.

      Can you say it one more time? I didn't hear clearly.

    • 这是我第一次来中国。

      zhè shì wǒ dì yī cì lái Zhōngguó.

      This is my first time coming to China.

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    Expressing 'one time' with 一次 (yī cì) | Chinese Grammar