Reduplication verb
HSK 2- Other
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Repeat a verb to express an action that is quick, light, or carries the meaning of "giving something a try."
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Reduplication of a verb makes the sentence lighter and more colloquial, expresses an action that takes place briefly, or carries the sense of "giving something a try" — similar to saying "have a look," "think for a moment" in Vietnamese.
For monosyllabic verbs, you can use the structure AA or A一A. For bisyllabic verbs (two-character words), the entire word is reduplicated following the structure ABAB. The second syllable in the AA form is typically read with a neutral tone.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 你看看这本书。繁: 你看看這本書。Nǐ kànkan zhè běn shū.
You take a look at this book.
- 我们聊一聊天吧。繁: 我們聊一聊天吧。Wǒmen liáo yi liáo tiān ba.
Let's chat for a bit.
- 你休息休息吧。Nǐ xiūxi xiūxi ba.
You should rest a bit.
- 我想问问老师。繁: 我想問問老師。Wǒ xiǎng wènwen lǎoshī.
I want to ask the teacher something.
- 我们讨论讨论这个问题。繁: 我們討論討論這個問題。Wǒmen tǎolùn tǎolùn zhège wèntí.
Let's discuss this matter a bit.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我看看了这本书。Correct:我看了看这本书。
When an action has already occurred, the particle 了 must be placed between two repeated verbs (V了V), not at the end.
- Wrong:我们学习习吧。Correct:我们学习学习吧。
For two-syllable verbs (AB), the entire word must be repeated in the ABAB structure, not AAB.