Which is the correct use of this grammar pattern?
我一字一字地学习汉语。
我一个字一个字地学习汉语。
The first one feels correct to me. The pattern is:
一{MW,N}一{MW,N} + 地 + V
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Both are fine. 我一个字一个字地学习汉语 is stronger than the other one in the sense that 一个字一个字地 emphasizes you learn each Chinese word by "个".– NobodyDec 9, 2013 at 10:47
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That's very helpful, thank you. However, I cannot mark the question as answered unless you answer it. :)– JamesDDec 9, 2013 at 11:51
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Both are acceptable.– CasperFeb 2, 2014 at 12:05
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3 Answers
Both are correct, but the second one sounds more natural to a native speaker.
个 is omitted only in some idiomatic phrases like 一字一句 or 一字排开(though here 一 doesn't mean the number, but the shape of the number).
In Chinese, it's more idiomatic to use a measure word between the number and the noun in most cases.
As other people have pointed out, both versions are correct. However, I prefer the second one (一个字一个字) for two reasons:
一个字一个字 has a stronger emphasis on learning by INDIVIDUAL characters, and thus implies a higher degree of difficulty and diligence.
number + noun (without MW inbetween) is a somewhat archaic structure. As such, it is more frequently seen in set phrases. Therefore, when a native speaker of Chinese sees the first 一字, he tends to think of idioms that contains this expression, for instance 一字一句, 一字一顿... This may cause a mild diversion.
Both are OK.
As a native speaker, I prefer the second one.
From your question, I gather that we have something in common when it comes to learning a foreign language. But now, I have begun to understand that grammar is not so important. Like you, I paid a lot of attention to English grammar while learning....
As for this question, nobody will care about this detail.
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Thanks for the response. Someone else was asking about this issue and I wasn't sure, so I put the question here. :) I agree—grammar isn't the most important; it's better to focus on speaking and immersion (being in the country or listening/reading a lot of media). Best of luck!– JamesDDec 23, 2013 at 21:38