一直 (yīzhí) — all along

HSK 3 | adverb | continuously, all along, straight — describes uninterrupted action or direction

一直 (yīzhí)

一直 means continuously, all along, or straight ahead. For time it means an action has been happening without interruption. For direction it means go straight without turning.

Meanings

  1. [adverb] All along; continuously; the whole time.
  2. [adverb] Straight; in a straight line (direction).

Example Sentences

他一直在努力学习。 Tā yīzhí zài nǔlì xuéxí. He has been studying hard all along.

一直走,不要转弯。 Yīzhí zǒu, bú yào zhuǎnwān. Go straight; don't turn.

我一直等你,你怎么才来? Wǒ yīzhí děng nǐ, nǐ zěnme cái lái? I've been waiting for you the whole time; what took you so long?

她一直对我很好。 Tā yīzhí duì wǒ hěn hǎo. She has always been very good to me.

Collocations

Collocation Meaning
一直以来 all along; throughout
一直到 right up until
一直在 has been (doing)
一直走 go straight
坚持一直 keep going continuously

Memory Hook

一 (one) plus 直 (straight). One straight line that never bends — unbroken, continuous, always in the same direction.