Difference between revisions of "Reduplication of adjectives"
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| − | Adj + Adj + 的 | + | Adj + Adj + 的 (+ Noun) |
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | Note that this pattern is also identical to single-syllable reduplication of | + | Note that this pattern is also identical to [[reduplication of verbs|single-syllable reduplication of verbs]]. |
=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
| Line 38: | Line 38: | ||
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| − | A + A + B +B + 的 | + | A + A + B + B + 的 (+ Noun) |
</div> | </div> | ||
| Line 51: | Line 51: | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | == Using Reduplicated Adjectives (AABB) | + | == Using Reduplicated Adjectives 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. | ||
| Line 72: | Line 72: | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | == Using Reduplicated Adjectives (ABAB) | + | == Using Reduplicated Adjectives as Predicates (ABAB) == |
| − | If you | + | 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 === | === Structure === | ||
| Line 82: | Line 82: | ||
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| − | Subject | + | 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. | ||
The above structure is essentially equivalent to this one: | The above structure is essentially equivalent to this one: | ||
| Line 90: | Line 92: | ||
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| − | Subject | + | Subject + A + B + 一下 |
</div> | </div> | ||
| Line 126: | Line 128: | ||
{{Used for|Expressing quality}} | {{Used for|Expressing quality}} | ||
{{Similar|Simple "noun + adjective" sentences}} | {{Similar|Simple "noun + adjective" sentences}} | ||
| − | {{Similar| | + | {{Similar|Reduplication of verbs}} |
Revision as of 02:09, 10 September 2013
-
Level
-
Similar to
-
Used for
-
Keywords
| This article is a stub. Editors can help the Chinese Grammar Wiki by expanding it. |
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.
Contents
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.
Structure
Adj + Adj + 的 (+ Noun)
Note that this pattern is also identical to single-syllable reduplication of verbs.
Examples
- 妈妈的手 暖暖的。Mother's hands are warm.
- 你的 脸 红红的。Your face is red.
- 果汁 甜甜的。Fruit juice is sweet.
Two-Syllable Adjectives (ABAB)
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
- 高高兴兴happy
- 漂漂亮亮pretty
- 舒舒服服comfortable
- 辛辛苦苦hard
Using Reduplicated Adjectives as Adverbs (AABB)
When adjectives are used as adverbs to modify verbs, you can reduplicate the adjective using the AABB pattern.
Structure
A + A + B + B + 地 + Verb
Examples
- 过年 的 时候 ，我们 全 家人 都 聚 在 一起 ，热 热 闹 闹 地 吃 年夜饭 。At Chinese New Year, our whole family gathers together and joyously shares a New Year's Eve meal.
- 结婚的时候，人们喜欢放鞭炮来热闹热闹。People prefer to set off the fireworks to celebrate when they get married.
- 妹妹快过生日了，我打算给她办一个生日派对，热闹一下。My little sister's birthday is coming and I'm going to celebrate it by throwing her a birthday party.
Using Reduplicated Adjectives 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:
Subject + A + B + A + B
In the pattern above there's no verb, because when an adjective serves as the predicate, it does the job of a verb.
The above structure is essentially equivalent to this one:
Subject + A + B + 一下
Examples
- 结婚 的 时候 ，人们 喜欢 热闹热闹。People prefer to set off the fireworks to celebrate when they get married.
- 妹妹 快 过 生日 了 ，我 打算 给 她 办 一 个 生日 派对 ，热闹一下。My little sister's birthday is coming and I'm going to celebrate it by throwing her a birthday party.
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
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (p. 53) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 189-90) →buy
- Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar (pp. 32-6) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 50) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 103-4) →buy
- 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册） (pp. 271-2)→buy
