Reduplication of verbs

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One of the fun things about Chinese is that you can repeat certain things to express "a little bit", similar to how in some Latin languages you can add a bit to the end of a word to make it "cute".

Structure

In Chinese, verbs can be reduplicated to indicate that they happen briefly or "a little bit".

Subject + Verb + Verb

Examples

  • 看看(You) Take a little look.
  • 试试I'll give it a little try.
  • 听听(You) Listen for a bit.
  • 说说 你的看法。Talk a little bit about your opinion.
  • 周末 的 时候 跟 朋友 吃吃 饭,很 好。During the weekend, eat a little bit with friends, it's awesome.
  • 没事 的 时候 我 喜欢 写写 东西。When I have nothing to do, I like to write a little bit.
  • 洗洗 你 的 臭 袜子 吧!Wash your stinky socks a bit!
  • 不要 生气 了,笑笑You don't need to get mad, laugh a little!
  • 快点 去 问问 厕所 在 哪 里。Hurry and go ask a while where the bathroom is.
  • 我 想 出去 走走I want to go out and walk for a bit.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books