一来…二来…
HSK 5- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used to list two main reasons or causes for something, equivalent to "firstly..., secondly...".
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The structure 一来…二来… is used to present two reasons or two aspects of an issue in a clear and orderly manner. It helps the speaker arrange their points logically, typically to explain a decision or a particular situation. This structure is slightly more formal than everyday speech.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我选这家公司，一来工资高，二来离家近。繁: 我選這家公司，一來工資高，二來離家近。Wǒ xuǎn zhè jiā gōngsī, yīlái gōngzī gāo, èrlái lí jiā jìn.
I chose this company for two reasons: first, the salary is high, and second, it's close to home.
- 他想学中文，一来工作需要，二来他喜欢中国文化。繁: 他想學中文，一來工作需要，二來他喜歡中國文化。Tā xiǎng xué Zhōngwén, yīlái gōngzuò xūyào, èrlái tā xǐhuān Zhōngguó wénhuà.
He wants to study Chinese, partly because his work requires it, and partly because he enjoys Chinese culture.
- 今天不出门了，一来天气不好，二来我也累了。繁: 今天不出門了，一來天氣不好，二來我也累了。Jīntiān bù chūmén le, yīlái tiānqì bù hǎo, èrlái wǒ yě lèi le.
I'm not going out today; for one thing the weather is bad, and for another I'm tired too.
- 我买这件衣服，一来是打折，二来是样子好看。繁: 我買這件衣服，一來是打折，二來是樣子好看。Wǒ mǎi zhè jiàn yīfu, yīlái shì dǎzhé, èrlái shì yàngzi hǎokàn.
I bought this piece of clothing for two reasons: first, it was on sale, and second, the style looks good.
- 大家都很喜欢他，一来他工作努力，二来他乐于助人。繁: 大家都很喜歡他，一來他工作努力，二來他樂於助人。Dàjiā dōu hěn xǐhuān tā, yīlái tā gōngzuò nǔlì, èrlái tā lèyú zhùrén.
Everyone likes him very much, first because he works diligently, and second because he is willing to help others.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我喜欢这儿，一来环境好，二来交通方便，三来朋友多。Correct:我喜欢这儿，一是环境好，二是交通方便，三是朋友多。
The structure 一来…二来… is used only to list two reasons. When there are more than two reasons, you should use 一是…二是…三是… or 首先…其次…再次….
- Wrong:做这道菜，一来洗菜，二来切肉。Correct:做这道菜，先洗菜，再切肉。
This structure is used to state reasons, not to list steps in a process. To indicate a sequence of actions, use 先…再….