Reduplication of adjectives

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:

• 外面 冷冷的。
• 你的 脸 红红的。
• 天气 热热的。

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.

Sources and further reading

Books

• 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