Reduplication of verbs
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
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
- 你 看 看 。(You) Take a little look.
- 我 试 试 。I'll give it a little try.
- 你 听 听 。(You) Listen for a bit.
- 你 说 说 你 的 想法。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
- New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (p. 18) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (p. 85) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 227-8) →buy
- Contemporary Chinese 1 (当代中文1) (p. 125) →buy
- Practicing HSK Grammar (语法精讲精炼) (pp. 152-160) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (p. 121-2) →buy
