Difference between revisions of "Reduplication of adjectives"

Line 13: Line 13:
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 外面 <em>冷冷的</em>。
+
* 妈妈的手 <em>暖暖的</em>。
 
* 你的 脸 <em>红红的</em>。
 
* 你的 脸 <em>红红的</em>。
* 天气 <em>热热的</em>。
+
* 果汁 <em>甜甜的</em>。
  
 
</div>
 
</div>

Revision as of 10:00, 1 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