Difference between revisions of "Verb reduplication with "yi""

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Reduplication of certain verbs and adding an 一 (yī) can change the degree of something to "a little bit".
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== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 给 我 <em>看 一 看</em>。
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* 给 我 <em>看 一 看</em>。<span class="trans">Give me a little look.</span>
* 你 <em>听 一 听</em>。
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* 你 <em>听 一 听</em>。<span class="trans">(You) Listen a bit.</span>
* 去 <em>试 一 试</em>。
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* 去 <em>试 一 试</em>。<span class="trans">(You) Go and try it a bit.</span>
  
 
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Revision as of 01:41, 31 January 2013

Reduplication of certain verbs and adding an 一 (yī) can change the degree of something to "a little bit".

Structure

One way to reduplicate verbs is to insert 一 (yī), in the following structure:

Verb + 一 + Verb

As with simple verb reduplication, this creates a sense that the verb is done briefly or "a little bit".

Examples

  • 给 我 看 一 看Give me a little look.
  • 听 一 听(You) Listen a bit.
  • 试 一 试(You) Go and try it a bit.

See also

Sources and Further Reading

Books

HSK3