一直

• 拼音: yī zhí
• 汉字拆解: 一 = 'one/all'; 直 = 十 (ten) + 目 (eye) + 一 (line), meaning 'straight/direct'

含义

Always; all along; continuously. Indicates an action or state that continues without change.

One of the most common adverbs in Chinese. Has two main meanings: (1) continuously, all the time — 我一直在等你 (I've been waiting for you the whole time); (2) straight ahead — 一直走 (go straight). Placed before the verb.

例句

1. 我一直在等你的电话。
2. 他一直很喜欢画画。
3. 一直往前走，就能看到银行。

用法指南

语境: everyday, conversation

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 我一直想去日本旅游。(I've always wanted to travel to Japan.)
• 一直走到路口再右转。(Go straight until the intersection, then turn right.)

错误说法

• 我一直去过北京。(Don't combine 一直 with 过 for completed experiences — say 我去过北京 or 我一直想去北京.)

起源与历史

Compound of 一 (one/all) and 直 (straight/direct), literally 'straight through' — without interruption or change of direction.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal