一字一句

yīzì-yījù
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 every word and every phrase
  2. 2 word by word and sentence by sentence
  3. 3 speaking clearly and deliberately

Examples

HSK 3
Lǎoshī yīzì-yījù de niàn gěi xuéshēng tīng.
The teacher read it out word by word to the students.
HSK 3
Qǐng nǐ yīzì-yījù de shuō qīngchǔ.
Please say it clearly, one word at a time.
HSK 4
Tā yīzì-yījù de bǎ hétóng dú le yī biàn.
He read through the contract carefully, word for word.

Tips

usage
Used adverbially with to describe slow, deliberate speech or reading - either for emphasis/clarity or to make sure nothing is missed. Compare 一板一眼 (following rules exactly) and 字斟句酌 (weighing each word carefully).
grammar
Structure XY pairs two near-synonyms ( "character" + "sentence") to mean "every X, every Y." Same pattern as 一针一线, 一草一木, 一举一动.

Stroke Order