一次性

• Pinyin: yī cì xìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 一 = one; 次 = order/time; 性 = 忄 (heart) + 生 (life), meaning nature or characteristic

Meaning

Disposable; one-time; single-use. Describing something used only once or a one-off action.

Two main uses: 1) Disposable products (一次性筷子 disposable chopsticks, 一次性杯子 disposable cups); 2) One-time actions (一次性付款 one-time payment, 一次性解决 resolve once and for all). Environmental concerns have made 一次性 products a topic of debate.

Examples

1. 为了环保，这家餐厅不提供一次性餐具。 For environmental protection, this restaurant does not provide disposable tableware.
2. 这笔费用是一次性支付还是分期？ Is this fee a one-time payment or installments?
3. 我们要一次性把这个问题解决掉。 We need to resolve this problem once and for all.

Usage Guide

Context: products, payments, actions

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 请减少使用一次性塑料。(Please reduce the use of single-use plastics.)
• 可以一次性付清吗？(Can it be paid in full at once?)

Don't Say

• 一次性的用品 — 可以直接说'一次性用品'，不需要'的'

Origin & History

Compound of 一次 (one time) + 性 (nature, characteristic). Describing the single-use nature of something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal