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.
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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 ===
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</div>
 
</div>
  
Another way of putting that (and we'll be using this form more extensively below) is:
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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">
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*高兴 → 高高兴兴 <span class="pinyin">gāoxìng → gāogāo-xìngxìng</span><span class="trans">happy</span>
 
*高兴 → 高高兴兴 <span class="pinyin">gāoxìng → gāogāo-xìngxìng</span><span class="trans">happy</span>
*热闹 → 热热闹闹 <span class="pinyin">rènao → rèrè-nāonāo</span><span class="trans">exciting</span>
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*热闹 → 热热闹闹 <span class="pinyin">rènao → rèrè-nāonāo</span><span class="trans">noisy, boisterous</span>
 
*漂亮 → 漂漂亮亮 <span class="pinyin">piàoliang → piàopiào-liāngliāng</span><span class="trans">pretty</span>
 
*漂亮 → 漂漂亮亮 <span class="pinyin">piàoliang → piàopiào-liāngliāng</span><span class="trans">pretty</span>
 
*舒服 → 舒舒服服 <span class="pinyin">shūfu → shūshū-fūfū</span><span class="trans">comfortable</span>
 
*舒服 → 舒舒服服 <span class="pinyin">shūfu → shūshū-fūfū</span><span class="trans">comfortable</span>
*安静 → 安安静静 <span class="pinyin">ānjìng → ānān-jìngjìng</span><span class="trans">peaceful</span>
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*安静 → 安安静静 <span class="pinyin">ānjìng → ānān-jìngjìng</span><span class="trans">quiet and still</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<ul>
 
<ul>
 
<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>hǎohǎo-chīchī </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-yīyī</strong></span><span class="trans">cheap</span></li>
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<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>mámá-fánfán </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>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
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AABB + 地 + Verb
 
AABB + 地 + Verb
 
</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]].
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*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 yīgè pàng pàng de nánrén shàngchē le.</span><span class="trans">We clearly saw him get in the car with a fat man.</span>
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*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>
 
*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 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>
*你 妈妈 <em>辛辛苦苦</em> <strong>地</strong> 做 了 两 个 小时 的 饭,你 怎么 不 吃 ?<span class="expl">辛辛苦苦 is difficult to translate into English directly!</span><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>
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*你 妈妈 <em>辛辛苦苦</em> <strong>地</strong> 做 了 两 个 小时 的 饭,你 怎么 不 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>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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</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.
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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 ===
 
=== Examples ===
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*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 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>
 
*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>
 
*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 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. Spend some alone time.</span>
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*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>
 
*想 不 想 去 做 个 按摩 ,<em>放松 一下</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Xiǎng bu xiǎng qù zuò gè ànmó, <em>fàngsōng yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">Would you like to go get a massage and unwind?</span>
 
*想 不 想 去 做 个 按摩 ,<em>放松 一下</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Xiǎng bu xiǎng qù zuò gè ànmó, <em>fàngsōng yīxià</em>.</span><span class="trans">Would you like to go get a massage and unwind?</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 ===
  
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 3|139}}
 
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|53}}
 
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|53}}
 
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2|189-90}}
 
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2|189-90}}
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[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK3}}
 
[[Category:Adjectives]]
 
[[Category:Adjectives]]
  
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{{Similar|Simple "noun + adjective" sentences}}
 
{{Similar|Simple "noun + adjective" sentences}}
 
{{Similar|Reduplication of verbs}}
 
{{Similar|Reduplication of verbs}}
 +
{{Similar|Reduplication of measure words}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing quality}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing quality}}
 
{{POS|Adjectives}}
 
{{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