Difference between revisions of "Reduplication of adjectives"

Line 1: Line 1:
 +
{{Grammar Box}}
 +
 
== Basic patterns ==
 
== Basic patterns ==
  
Line 43: Line 45:
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:Adjectives]]
 
[[Category:Adjectives]]
 +
 +
{{Basic Grammar|Adj + Adj|B1|Adj + Adj|你 应该 <em>慢慢</em> 地 走。|grammar point|ASGDHE8S}}

Revision as of 05:30, 13 June 2012

Basic patterns

One way to intensify adjectives is to reduplicate them. This creates a sense of "really" or "very", and makes the descriptive power of the adjective stronger.

Adj + Adj + 的

In most Chinese textbooks and grammar books, this is known as the "AA" pattern. For example:

  • 妈妈的手 暖暖的
  • 你的 脸 红红的
  • 果汁 甜甜的

If the adjective has more than one character, then you should repeat each character individually. This is known as the "AABB" pattern. Examples:

  • 高高兴兴
  • 舒舒服服
  • 糊糊涂涂

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

See also

Sources and further reading

Books