一点一点 (yī diǎn yī diǎn)

adverb HSK 3

Traditional 一點一點

yī diǎn yī diǎn

little by little · bit by bit · gradually

Meaning

This reduplicative phrase emphasizes the gradual, incremental nature of a change or action. It conveys that something happens slowly, step by step, rather than all at once. The repetition of 一点 (a little bit) reinforces the idea of small, continuous increments over time.

Usage

Commonly used in everyday speech to describe slow progress, learning, or change. Often appears before verbs to modify how an action is performed. Native speakers use it to emphasize patience and steady progress rather than sudden transformation. It carries a gentle, patient tone.

Examples

01
他的中文一点一点进步了。
Tā de Zhōngwén yī diǎn yī diǎn jìn bù le.
His Chinese has improved little by little.
02
不要着急，我们一点一点来。
Bú yào zháo jí, wǒ men yī diǎn yī diǎn lái.
Don't worry, let's take it bit by bit.

Characters

Common collocations

一点一点学
yī diǎn yī diǎn xué
to learn little by little
一点一点进步
yī diǎn yī diǎn jìn bù
to progress bit by bit
一点一点积累
yī diǎn yī diǎn jī lěi
to accumulate gradually

Antonyms

Origin

Formed by reduplicating 一点 (a little bit), a common pattern in Mandarin where repetition emphasizes gradualness or distribution. This reduplicative structure is productive in Chinese for conveying incremental or repeated actions.