AA / AABB adjective reduplication

HSK 3

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Adjective monosyllabic: AA(的)(Noun). Adjective disyllabic: AABB(的)(Noun).

Reduplicate adjectives (AA/AABB) to describe things and events in a more vivid and imagery-rich manner.

Reduplication of adjectives in Chinese makes sentences more vivid and imagery-rich, often carrying a tone of fondness or praise.

For monosyllabic adjectives, repeat in the form AA, e.g. 高 (tall) -> 高高的 (nice and tall).
For disyllabic adjectives, repeat in the form AABB, e.g. 干净 (clean) -> 干干净净 (spotlessly clean).

When placed before a noun as an attributive, they are typically followed by 的. When used as an adverbial, they are used with 地.

那个女孩有大大的眼睛。
繁: 那個女孩有大大的眼睛。Nàge nǚhái yǒu dàdà de yǎnjing.
That girl has big round eyes.
他高高兴兴地回家了。
繁: 他高高興興地回家了。Tā gāogāoxìngxìng de huí jiā le.
He went home happily.
请把房间打扫得干干净净。
繁: 請把房間打掃得乾乾淨淨。Qǐng bǎ fángjiān dǎsǎo de gāngānjìngjìng.
Please clean the room until it is spotless.
红红的太阳升起来了。
繁: 紅紅的太陽昇起來了。Hónghóng de tàiyáng shēng qǐlái le.
The bright red sun is rising.
她穿着漂漂亮亮的裙子。
繁: 她穿著漂漂亮亮的裙子。Tā chuānzhe piàopiàoliangliàng de qúnzi.
She is wearing a beautiful dress.