<p>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: </p>

<ol>
<li><p>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. </p></li>
<li><p>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. </p></li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-10T00:52:23.723Z
2013-12-10T00:52:23.723Z
Mingjing Zhang
<p>Both are OK.</p>

<p>As a native speaker, I prefer the second one.</p>

<p>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....</p>

<p>As for this question, nobody will care about this detail.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-23T21:38:01.677Z
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!
JamesD
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-20T02:18:46.810Z
2013-12-20T08:01:15.790Z
2013-12-20T08:01:15.790Z
fightwithbug
<p>Both are correct, but the second one sounds more natural to a native speaker.</p>

<p><code>个</code> is omitted only in some idiomatic phrases like <code>一字一句</code> or <code>一字排开</code>(though here <code>一</code> doesn't mean the number, but the shape of the number).</p>

<p>In Chinese, it's more idiomatic to use a <code>measure word</code> between the number and the noun in most cases.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-09T14:47:33.177Z
To be clear, you are a never speaker, correct?
JamesD
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-09T16:08:29.657Z
You mean NATIVE speaker? Yes, I am a Chinese, so my English may be not so 'native'.
leetom
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-10T01:11:14.793Z
Yes, native speaker.* :) And from your comment at least, your English seems quite good. That's why I wasn't sure!
JamesD
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-09T11:56:58.620Z
2013-12-09T20:21:15.443Z
2013-12-09T20:21:15.443Z
leetom
<p>Which is the correct use of this grammar pattern?</p>

<p>我一字一字地学习汉语。</p>

<p>我一个字一个字地学习汉语。</p>

<p>The first one feels correct to me. The pattern is:</p>

<pre><code>一{MW,N}一{MW,N} + 地 + V
</code></pre>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-02T12:05:25.960Z
Both are acceptable.
Joshua LI
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-09T10:47:55.973Z
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".
Nobody
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-09T11:51:16.983Z
That's very helpful, thank you. However, I cannot mark the question as answered unless you answer it. :)
JamesD
<grammar>
我一字一字地学习汉语 OR 我一个字一个字地学习汉语
# 我一字一字地学习汉语 OR 我一个字一个字地学习汉语

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-12-09)

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

**Tags:** grammar
> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: 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".  
> **username_0**: That's very helpful, thank you. However, I cannot mark the question as answered unless you answer it. :)  
> **username_1**: Both are acceptable.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2013-12-09. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

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.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: To be clear, you are a never speaker, correct?  
> **username_5**: You mean NATIVE speaker? Yes, I am a Chinese, so my English may be not so 'native'.  
> **username_0**: Yes, native speaker.* :) And from your comment at least, your English seems quite good. That's why I wasn't sure!  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2013-12-10. Score: 5

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2013-12-20. Score: 2

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.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: 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!  

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