chavalit Posted August 23, 2008 at 05:35 AM Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 at 05:35 AM I came across this kind of sentence: someone三两下就do something I think 三两下 means quickly, easily, but couldn't find it in any dictionary. Is this correct? Why the words three and two? Where does this expression come from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylee Posted August 23, 2008 at 05:52 AM Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 at 05:52 AM It is the same as 兩三下. Take a look at this dictionary entry -> http://dict.revised.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/newDict/dict.sh?cond=%A8%E2%A4T%A4U&pieceLen=50&fld=1&cat=&ukey=1729872214&serial=2&recNo=2&op=&imgFont=1 (if the page is time-out, just paste 兩三下 to the search box) 兩三下形容動作純熟迅速。如：「她兩三下就把一大堆資料整理得有條不紊。」 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylee Posted August 23, 2008 at 06:00 AM Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 at 06:00 AM Also take a look at 新華字典 -> http://xh.5156edu.com/show.php?id=1673&f_key=三 三下五除二 sānxiàwǔchúèr 〖at one go〗原为珠算口诀,现在常用来形容办事或动作敏捷利落。近似“三下两下” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chavalit Posted August 23, 2008 at 06:03 AM Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 at 06:03 AM Thanks a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockneylad Posted August 25, 2008 at 05:18 PM Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 at 05:18 PM 三两下 三 = Three 两 = 二 = Two 下 = Time(s) i.e. a few "times" 三两下 = Three or Two times In fact, it means to do/finish/complete/etc something (with no difficulties) within three or even as less as two times attempts. Example: 刘翔三两下就把金牌拿下来了 (Liu Xiang got the gold medal easily) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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