Difference between revisions of "Reduplication of adjectives"

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
One of the charming features of Chinese is reduplication (repeating, or doubling up) of certain words and characters, including adjectives!  Reduplication makes the descriptive feeling of the adjective stronger.
+
One of the charming features of Chinese is reduplication (repeating, or doubling up) of certain words and characters, including [[adjective]]s. Reduplication can enhance the descriptive feeling of an adjective.
  
 
== One-Syllable Adjectives (AA) ==
 
== One-Syllable Adjectives (AA) ==
  
If an adjective is only one syllable (one character), then reduplicating it is a no-brainer.   In most Chinese textbooks and grammar books, this is known as the "AA" pattern.
+
If an adjective is only one syllable (one character), then reduplicating it is a no-brainer. The only tricky part about this pattern is that not all adjectives can be reduplicated in natural speech. It's mostly for adjectives that describe the physical world: colors, sizes, shapes, and other physical descriptors.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
Adj. + Adj. + 的 (+ Noun)
Adj + Adj + 的 (+ Noun)
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Another way of putting that (and we'll be using this form more extensively below) is:
+
In most Chinese textbooks and grammar books, this is known as the "AA" pattern. We'll be using this form more extensively below:
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
 
A A + 的 (+ Noun)
 
A A + 的 (+ Noun)
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 妈妈的手 <em>暖暖的</em>。<span class="pinyin">Māma de shǒu <em>nuǎn nuǎn de</em>.</span><span class="trans">Mother's hands are warm.</span>
+
*你 的 脸 <em>红 红 的</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de liǎn <em>hóng hóng de</em>.</span><span class="trans">Your face is red.</span>
* 你的 脸 <em>红红的</em>。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de liǎn <em>hóng hóng de</em>.</span><span class="trans">Your face is red.</span>
+
*宝宝 的 眼睛 <em>大 大 的</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Bǎobao de yǎnjīng <em>dà dà de</em>.</span><span class="trans">The baby's eyes are big.</span>
* 果汁 <em>甜甜的</em>。<span class="pinyin">Guǒzhī <em>tián tián de</em>.</span><span class="trans">Fruit juice is sweet.</span>
+
*今晚 的 月亮 <em>圆 圆 的</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Jīnwǎn de yuèliàng <em>yuán yuán de</em>.</span><span class="trans">The moon is round tonight.</span>
* 他 <em>高高的</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>gāo gāo de</em>.</span><span class="trans">He's tall.</span>
+
*她 爸爸 <em>高 高 胖 胖 的</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā bàba <em>gāo gāo pàng pàng de</em>.</span><span class="trans">Her father is tall and fat.</span>
* <em>长长的</em>。<span class="pinyin"><em>cháng cháng de</em>.</span><span class="trans">The road is long.</span>
+
*我 妹妹 <em>瘦 瘦 小 小 的</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ mèimei <em>shòu shòu xiǎo xiǎo de</em>.</span><span class="trans">My little sister is thin and small.</span>
* 这 只 小猫 <em>黑黑的</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè zhī xiǎo māo <em>hēi hēi de</em>.</span><span class="trans">This kitten is black.</span>
 
* 我 女朋友 <em>胖胖的</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de nǚpéngyou <em>pàng pàng de</em>.</span><span class="trans">My girlfriend is chubby.</span>
 
* 这 个 小 女孩 的 眼睛 <em>大大的</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè ge xiǎo nǚhái de yǎnjīng <em>dàdà de</em>.</span><span class="trans">This little girl's eyes are big.</span>
 
* 宝宝 手 <em>小小的</em>。<span class="pinyin">Bǎobao de shǒu <em>xiǎo xiǎo de</em>.</span><span class="trans">The baby's hands are small.</span>
 
* 房间 里 <em>热热的</em>。<span class="pinyin">Fángjiān lǐ <em>rè rè de</em>.</span><span class="trans">It's hot in the room.</span>
 
* 北京 的 秋天 <em>凉凉的</em>。<span class="pinyin">Běijīng de qiūtiān <em>liáng liáng de</em>.</span><span class="trans">Beijing's autumns are cool.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
A  A  B  B  + 的 (+ Noun)  
A  A  B  B  + 的 (+ Noun)
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 高兴 → 高高兴兴 <span class="pinyin">gāoxìng → gāo gāo xìng xìng</span><span class="trans">happy</span>
+
*高兴 → 高高兴兴 <span class="pinyin">gāoxìng → gāogāo-xìngxìng</span><span class="trans">happy</span>
* 开心 → 开开心心 <span class="pinyin">kāixīn → kāi kāi xīn xīn</span><span class="trans">happy</span>
+
*热闹 → 热热闹闹 <span class="pinyin">rènao → rèrè-nāonāo</span><span class="trans">noisy, boisterous</span>
* 热闹 → 热热闹闹 <span class="pinyin">rènao → rè rè nāo nāo</span><span class="trans">happy</span>
+
*漂亮 → 漂漂亮亮 <span class="pinyin">piàoliang → piàopiào-liāngliāng</span><span class="trans">pretty</span>
* 干净 → 干干净净 <span class="pinyin">gānjìng → gān gān jìng jìng</span><span class="trans">clean</span>
+
*舒服 → 舒舒服服 <span class="pinyin">shūfu → shūshū-fūfū</span><span class="trans">comfortable</span>
* 漂亮 → 漂漂亮亮 <span class="pinyin">piàoliang → piào piào liāng liāng</span><span class="trans">pretty</span>
+
*安静 → 安安静静 <span class="pinyin">ānjìng → ānān-jìngjìng</span><span class="trans">quiet and still</span>
* 舒服 → 舒舒服服 <span class="pinyin">shūfu → shū shū fū fū</span><span class="trans">comfortable</span>
 
* 安静 → 安安静静 <span class="pinyin">ānjìng → ān ān jìng jìng</span><span class="trans">peaceful</span>
 
* 健康 → 健健康康 <span class="pinyin">jiànkāng → jiàn jiàn kāng kāng</span><span class="trans">healthy</span>
 
* 辛苦 → 辛辛苦苦 <span class="pinyin">xīnkǔ → xīn xīn kǔ kǔ</span><span class="trans">hard</span>
 
* 清楚 → 清清楚楚 <span class="pinyin">qīngchu → qīng qīng chǔ chǔ</span><span class="trans">clear</span>
 
* 大方 → 大大方方 <span class="pinyin">dàfāng → dà da fāng fāng</span><span class="trans">generous</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="x">便宜 → <strong>便便宜宜</strong> <span class="pinyin">piányi → <strong>piánpiányíyí</strong></span><span class="trans">cheap</span></li>
+
<li class="x">好吃 → <strong>好好吃吃</strong> <span class="pinyin">hǎochī → <strong>hǎohǎo-chīchī </strong></span><span class="trans">tasty</span></li>
<li class="x">好吃 → <strong>好好吃吃</strong> <span class="pinyin">hǎochī → <strong>hǎo hǎo chī chī </strong></span><span class="trans">tasty</span></li>
+
<li class="x">便宜 → <strong>便便宜宜</strong> <span class="pinyin">piányi → <strong>piánpián-yíyí</strong></span><span class="trans">cheap</span></li>
<li class="x">麻烦 → <strong>麻麻烦烦</strong> <span class="pinyin">máfan → <strong>má má fán fán </strong></span><span class="trans">bothersome</span></li>
+
<li class="x">麻烦 → <strong>麻麻烦烦</strong> <span class="pinyin">máfan → <strong>mámá-fánfán </strong></span><span class="trans">bothersome</span></li>
<li class="x">友好 → <strong>友友好好</strong> <span class="pinyin">yǒuhǎo → <strong>yǒu yǒu hǎo hǎo </strong></span><span class="trans">friendly</span></li>
 
<li class="x">小气 → <strong>小小气气</strong><span class="pinyin">xiǎoqì → <strong>xiǎo xiǎo qì qì </strong></span><span class="trans">stingy</span></li>
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Using Reduplicated Adjectives as Adverbs (AABB) ==
+
== Used as Adverbs (AABB) ==
  
 
When adjectives are used as [[adverb]]s to modify verbs, you can reduplicate the adjective using the AABB pattern.  
 
When adjectives are used as [[adverb]]s to modify verbs, you can reduplicate the adjective using the AABB pattern.  
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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 +
AABB + 地 + Verb
 +
</div>
  
A A B B + 地 + Verb
+
'''Note:''' The "AABB" pattern for reduplication of two-syllable adjectives contrasts with the [[reduplication of verbs|"ABAB" pattern for reduplication of two-syllable verbs]].
 
 
</div>
 
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 过年 的 时候 ,我们 全 家人 都 聚 在 一起 ,<em>热 热 闹 闹</em> <strong>地</strong> 吃 年夜饭 。<span class="pinyin">Guònián de shíhou, wǒmen quánjiā rén dōu jù zài yīqǐ, <em>rè rè nào nào</em> <strong>de</strong> chī Nián Yèfàn.</span><span class="trans">At Chinese New Year, our whole family gathers together and joyously shares a New Year's Eve meal.</span>
+
*我们 <em>清清楚楚</em> <strong>地</strong> 看到 他 跟 一 个 胖 胖 的 男人 上 车 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>qīngqīng-chǔchǔ</em> <strong>de</strong> kàndào tā gēn yī gè pàng pàng de nánrén shàngchē le.</span><span class="trans">We clearly saw him get in the car with a fat man.</span>
* 听到 这 个 消息,她 <em>高高兴兴</em> <strong>地</strong> 走 了。<span class="pinyin">Tīng dào zhè ge xiāoxī, tā <em>gāo gāo xìng xìng</em> <strong>de </strong> zǒu le.</span><span class="trans">Upon hearing the news, he happily left.</span>
+
*我 真 想 <em>舒舒服服</em> <strong>地</strong> 躺 在 沙发 上 看 电视 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zhēn xiǎng <em>shūshū-fūfū</em> <strong>de</strong> tǎng zài shāfā shàng kàn diànshì.</span><span class="trans">I'd really like to comfortably lie on the couch and watch TV.</span>
* 我 <em>清清楚楚</em> <strong>地</strong> 看到 他 跟 一 个 胖胖的 男人 上 车 了。<span class="pinyin"><em>qīng qīng chǔ chǔ</em> <strong>de</strong> kàn dào tā gēn yīgè pàng pàng de nánrén shàng chēle.</span><span class="trans">I clearly saw him get in the car with a fat man.</span>
+
*你 妈妈 <em>辛辛苦苦</em> <strong>地</strong> 做 了 两 个 小时 的 饭,你 怎么 吃 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ māma <em>xīnxīn-kǔkǔ</em> <strong>de</strong> zuò le liǎng gè xiǎoshí de fàn, nǐ zěnme bù chī?</span><span class="trans">Your mother labored over this meal for two hours, and you aren't going to eat it?</span>
* 我 现在 真 想 <em>舒舒服服</em> <strong>地</strong> 躺 在 沙发 上 看 电视。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiànzài zhēn xiǎng <em>shū shū fú fú</em> <strong>de</strong> tǎng zài shāfā shàng kàn diànshì.</span><span class="trans">Right now I'd really like to comfortably lie on the couch and watch TV.</span>
 
* <em>辛辛苦苦</em> <strong>地</strong> 做 了 两 个 小时 的 饭,你们 都 吃?<span class="expl">辛辛苦苦 is difficult to translate into English directly!</span><span class="pinyin"><em>xīn xīn kǔ kǔ</em> <strong>de</strong> zuòle liǎng gè xiǎoshí de fàn, nǐmen dōu bù chī?</span><span class="trans">I labored over this meal for two hours, and none of you guys are going to eat it?</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Using Reduplicated Adjectives as Predicates (ABAB) ==
+
== Used as Predicates (ABAB) ==
  
 
If you use an [[adjective]] as a [[predicate]], then you're basically using the adjective like a verb, and you reduplicate it [[reduplication of verbs|as you would a verb]], which means ABAB form.  Using an adjective in this way is roughly equivalent to using 一下 after the (non-reduplicated) adjective.
 
If you use an [[adjective]] as a [[predicate]], then you're basically using the adjective like a verb, and you reduplicate it [[reduplication of verbs|as you would a verb]], which means ABAB form.  Using an adjective in this way is roughly equivalent to using 一下 after the (non-reduplicated) adjective.
  
=== Structure for ABAB===
+
=== Structure ===
  
 
To use a reduplicated adjective as a predicate, follow this structure:
 
To use a reduplicated adjective as a predicate, follow this structure:
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
Subj. + ABAB
Subject + A B A B
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
In the pattern above there's no verb, because when an adjective serves as the predicate, it does the job of a verb.  Notice also that there's no 的 after the ABAB, because it's not acting as an adjective.
+
or
 
 
=== Examples of ABAB ===
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
*结婚 的 时候 ,人们 喜欢 <em>热闹 热闹</em>。<span class="pinyin">Jiéhūn de shíhou, rénmen xǐhuan <em>rènao rènao</em>.</span><span class="trans">People prefer to set off the fireworks to celebrate when they get married.</span>
 
*妹妹 快 过 生日 了 ,我 打算 给 她 办 一 个 生日 派对 ,<em>热闹 热闹</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Mèimei kuàiguò shēngrìle, wǒ dǎsuàn gěi tā bàn yīgè shēngrì pàiduì,<em>rènao rènao</em>.</span><span class="trans">My little sister's birthday is coming and I'm going to celebrate it by throwing her a birthday party.</span>
 
* 来,喝 两 杯 酒, <em>高兴 高兴</em>。<span class="pinyin">Lái, hē liǎng bēi jiǔ, <em>gāoxìng gāoxìng</em>.</span><span class="trans">C'mon, have a few glasses of wine and enjoy yourself.</span>
 
* 到 这里 来, <em>凉快 凉快</em>。<span class="pinyin">Dào zhèlǐ lái, <em>liángkuai liángkuai</em>.</span><span class="trans">Come over here and cool off.</span>
 
* 我 想 去 做 个 按摩, <em>轻松 轻松</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiǎng qù zuò gè ànmó, <em>qīngsōng qīngsōng</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm going to go get a massage and unwind.</span>
 
* 洗 个 澡 吧, <em>舒服 舒服</em>。<span class="pinyin">Xǐ gè zǎo ba, <em>shūfu shūfu</em>.</span><span class="trans">Have a shower and get comfortable.</span>
 
  
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + AB + 一下
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Structure for AB 一下===
+
In the pattern above there's no verb because when an adjective serves as the predicate, it does the job of a verb.  Notice also that there's no 的 after the ABAB, because 的 is used when modifying nouns.
  
The above structure is essentially equivalent to this one:
+
=== Examples ===
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
 
 
Subject + A B + 一下
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
=== Examples of AB 一下 ===
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*结婚 的 时候 ,人们 喜欢 <em>热闹 一下</em>。<span class="pinyin">Jiéhūn de shíhou, rénmen xǐhuan <em>rènao yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">People prefer to set off the fireworks to celebrate when they get married.</span>
+
*妹妹 快 过 生日 了 ,我 打算 给 她 办 一 个 生日 派对 ,<em>热闹 热闹</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Mèimei kuài guò shēngrì le, wǒ dǎsuàn gěi tā bàn yī gè shēngrì pàiduì, <em>rènao rènao</em>.</span><span class="trans">My little sister's birthday is coming and I plan to throw her a birthday party and have a blast.</span>
*妹妹 快 过 生日 了 ,我 打算 给 她 办 一 个 生日 派对 ,<em>热闹 一下</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Mèimei kuàiguò shēngrìle, wǒ dǎsuàn gěi tā bàn yīgè shēngrì pàiduì,<em>rènao yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">My little sister's birthday is coming and I'm going to celebrate it by throwing her a birthday party.</span>
+
*来 ,喝 点 酒 ,<em>高兴 高兴</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Lái, hē diǎn jiǔ, <em>gāoxìng gāoxìng</em>.</span><span class="trans">Come on, have a little wine and enjoy yourself.</span>
* 来,喝 两 杯 酒, <em>高兴 一下</em>。<span class="pinyin">Lái, hē liǎng bēi jiǔ, <em>gāoxìng yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">C'mon, have a few glasses of wine and enjoy yourself.</span>
+
*到 这里 <em>凉快 凉快</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Dào zhèlǐ lái <em>liángkuai liángkuai</em>.</span><span class="trans">Come over here and cool off.</span>
* 到 这里 来, <em>凉快 一下</em>。<span class="pinyin">Dào zhèlǐ lái, <em>liángkuai yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">Come over here and cool off.</span>
+
*我 想 去 外面 走走 ,安静 <em> 一下</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiǎng qù wàimiàn zǒuzou, ānjìng <em>yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'd like to take a walk outside, get some quiet time.</span>
* 我 想 去 做 个 按摩, <em>轻松 一下</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiǎng qù zuò gè ànmó, <em>qīngsōng yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm going to go get a massage and unwind.</span>
+
*想 不 想 去 做 按摩 ,<em>放松 一下</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Xiǎng bu xiǎng qù zuò ànmó, <em>fàngsōng yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">Would you like to go get a massage and unwind?</span>
* 澡 吧, <em>舒服 一下</em>。<span class="pinyin">zǎo ba, <em>shūfu yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">Have a shower and get comfortable.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
'''Note:''' The "AABB" pattern for reduplication of two-syllable adjectives contrasts with the [[reduplication of verbs|"ABAB" pattern for reduplication of two-syllable verbs]].
 
  
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
== Sources and further reading ==
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)]] (p. 53) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276709/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276709 →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 3|139}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2]] (pp. 189-90) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276881/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0887276881 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|53}}
* [[Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar]] (pp. 32-6) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520066103?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0520066103 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2|189-90}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)]] (pp. 50) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/756191251X/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=756191251X →buy]
+
{{Source|Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar|32-6}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4)]] (pp. 103-4) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561913192/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561913192 →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)|50}}
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册)]] (pp. 271-2)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4)|103-4}}
 +
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册)|271-2}}
  
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK3}}
 
[[Category:Adjectives]]
 
[[Category:Adjectives]]
  
{{Basic Grammar|的|B1|Adj + Adj|你 应该 <em>慢慢</em> 地 走。|grammar point|ASGDHE8S}}
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{{Basic Grammar|的|B1|Adj. + Adj.|你 应该 <em>慢慢</em> 地 走。|grammar point|ASGDHE8S}}
{{POS|Adjectives}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing quality}}
 
 
{{Similar|Simple "noun + adjective" sentences}}
 
{{Similar|Simple "noun + adjective" sentences}}
 
{{Similar|Reduplication of verbs}}
 
{{Similar|Reduplication of verbs}}
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{{Similar|Reduplication of measure words}}
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{{Used for|Expressing quality}}
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{{POS|Adjectives}}

Latest revision as of 07:40, 13 November 2020

One of the charming features of Chinese is reduplication (repeating, or doubling up) of certain words and characters, including adjectives. Reduplication can enhance the descriptive feeling of an adjective.

One-Syllable Adjectives (AA)

If an adjective is only one syllable (one character), then reduplicating it is a no-brainer. The only tricky part about this pattern is that not all adjectives can be reduplicated in natural speech. It's mostly for adjectives that describe the physical world: colors, sizes, shapes, and other physical descriptors.

Structure

Adj. + Adj. + 的 (+ Noun)

In most Chinese textbooks and grammar books, this is known as the "AA" pattern. We'll be using this form more extensively below:

A A + 的 (+ Noun)

Note that this pattern is also identical to single-syllable reduplication of verbs.

Examples

  • 你 的 脸 红 红 的Nǐ de liǎn hóng hóng de.Your face is red.
  • 宝宝 的 眼睛 大 大 的Bǎobao de yǎnjīng dà dà de.The baby's eyes are big.
  • 今晚 的 月亮 圆 圆 的Jīnwǎn de yuèliàng yuán yuán de.The moon is round tonight.
  • 她 爸爸 高 高 胖 胖 的Tā bàba gāo gāo pàng pàng de.Her father is tall and fat.
  • 我 妹妹 瘦 瘦 小 小 的Wǒ mèimei shòu shòu xiǎo xiǎo de.My little sister is thin and small.

Two-Syllable Adjectives (AABB)

If the adjective has more than one character, then you should repeat each character individually (rather than the whole word). This is known as the "AABB" pattern.

Structure

In the structure below, the original two-character adjective (such as 高兴, 漂亮) is "AB," where the first character of the adjective is represented by "A," and the second by "B."

A A B B + 的 (+ Noun)

Examples

Not all two-syllable adjectives are used in AABB form, but here are some common examples of AB adjectives represented in AABB form.

  • 高兴 → 高高兴兴 gāoxìng → gāogāo-xìngxìnghappy
  • 热闹 → 热热闹闹 rènao → rèrè-nāonāonoisy, boisterous
  • 漂亮 → 漂漂亮亮 piàoliang → piàopiào-liāngliāngpretty
  • 舒服 → 舒舒服服 shūfu → shūshū-fūfūcomfortable
  • 安静 → 安安静静 ānjìng → ānān-jìngjìngquiet and still

Not all adjectives can take AABB form. Here are some examples of common adjectives that don't work in AABB form.

  • 好吃 → 好好吃吃 hǎochī → hǎohǎo-chīchī tasty
  • 便宜 → 便便宜宜 piányi → piánpián-yíyícheap
  • 麻烦 → 麻麻烦烦 máfan → mámá-fánfán bothersome

Used as Adverbs (AABB)

When adjectives are used as adverbs to modify verbs, you can reduplicate the adjective using the AABB pattern.

Structure

AABB + 地 + Verb

Note: The "AABB" pattern for reduplication of two-syllable adjectives contrasts with the "ABAB" pattern for reduplication of two-syllable verbs.

Examples

  • 我们 清清楚楚 看到 他 跟 一 个 胖 胖 的 男人 上 车 了 。Wǒmen qīngqīng-chǔchǔ de kàndào tā gēn yī gè pàng pàng de nánrén shàngchē le.We clearly saw him get in the car with a fat man.
  • 我 真 想 舒舒服服 躺 在 沙发 上 看 电视 。Wǒ zhēn xiǎng shūshū-fūfū de tǎng zài shāfā shàng kàn diànshì.I'd really like to comfortably lie on the couch and watch TV.
  • 你 妈妈 辛辛苦苦 做 了 两 个 小时 的 饭,你 怎么 不 吃 ?Nǐ māma xīnxīn-kǔkǔ de zuò le liǎng gè xiǎoshí de fàn, nǐ zěnme bù chī?Your mother labored over this meal for two hours, and you aren't going to eat it?

Used as Predicates (ABAB)

If you use an adjective as a predicate, then you're basically using the adjective like a verb, and you reduplicate it as you would a verb, which means ABAB form. Using an adjective in this way is roughly equivalent to using 一下 after the (non-reduplicated) adjective.

Structure

To use a reduplicated adjective as a predicate, follow this structure:

Subj. + ABAB

or

Subj. + AB + 一下

In the pattern above there's no verb because when an adjective serves as the predicate, it does the job of a verb. Notice also that there's no 的 after the ABAB, because 的 is used when modifying nouns.

Examples

  • 妹妹 快 过 生日 了 ,我 打算 给 她 办 一 个 生日 派对 ,热闹 热闹Mèimei kuài guò shēngrì le, wǒ dǎsuàn gěi tā bàn yī gè shēngrì pàiduì, rènao rènao.My little sister's birthday is coming and I plan to throw her a birthday party and have a blast.
  • 来 ,喝 点 酒 ,高兴 高兴Lái, hē diǎn jiǔ, gāoxìng gāoxìng.Come on, have a little wine and enjoy yourself.
  • 到 这里 来 凉快 凉快Dào zhèlǐ lái liángkuai liángkuai.Come over here and cool off.
  • 我 想 去 外面 走走 ,安静 一下Wǒ xiǎng qù wàimiàn zǒuzou, ānjìng yīxià.I'd like to take a walk outside, get some quiet time.
  • 想 不 想 去 做 个 按摩 ,放松 一下Xiǎng bu xiǎng qù zuò gè ànmó, fàngsōng yīxià.Would you like to go get a massage and unwind?

Sources and further reading

Books