Chinese Grammar Bank
REDUPLICATION OF VERBS IN CHINESE
You can repeat a verb to soften your tone or express an attitude in Mandarin.
This usage is called reduplication.
It’s commonly used in everyday conversation or colloquial style writings.
REDUPLICATION OF VERBS WITH THE AA PATTERN
The AA pattern is also known as the reduplication of one-syllable verbs, e.g., 看看(kàn kàn).
PATTERN
Subject + Verb + Verb
Applying this reduplication in your daily speaking or writing can help you express a quick and brief action and sofer the tone.
For instance, these two sentences both mean “I’ll go ask her.”
我去问她 V.S 我去问问她
wǒ qù wèn(wèn) tā
When you say the sentence with double 问, it will sound more friendly, and it’ll also give others an indication that you’ll try to ask her.
That is, it indicates that this action is an attempt.
Because reduplicated verbs can change the tone of the sentence, it frequently appears when asking questions.
It can show people a polite attitude, HOWEVER, note that not all verbs can be repeated.
Only most action verbs and a few psych verbs can be repeated because, these phrases are used colloquially. There is no set rule to which verbs can be reduplicated.
REDUPLICATION OF VERBS WITH 一 (yī)
Another way to reduplicate verbs is to insert “一 (yī).”
Using this kind of structure has a similar function to the AA pattern.
It can lighten the mood and seriousness of the question. It also adds variety to sentence structure.
So trying to use this structure can make your expression more flexible.
PATTERN
Verb + “一” + Verb
REDUPLICATION OF VERBS WITH TWO SYLLABLES VERBS
In the cases before, we doubled the one-syllable verbs, and thus turned into a AA structure.
Occasionally, though, two-syllable verbs get reduplicated as well.
This is called the ABAB pattern.
PATTERN
Subject + ABAB Verbs + Object
*It’s important to notice that we use the “ABAB” pattern for verbs (meaning the entire word is repeated), and not the “AABB” pattern you use for adjectives (where each character is repeated individually).
SUMMARY
Repeating verbs in the sentence will not change its meaning, but they can truly make the sentence more vivid.
Also, do not forget that repeated verbs are used in colloquial situations.
- With the AA pattern | Subject + Verb + Verb
- With “一” (yī) | Verb + “一” + Verb
- With two syllables verbs | Subject + ABAB verbs + Object
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FAQs
What is the use of the reduplication of verbs in Chinese?
The use of the reduplication of verbs in Chinese is to alter the tone or express an attitude in Mandarin.
You can use it in everyday conversation or colloquial style writings.
What is the use of the AA pattern in Chinese?
The AA pattern used for daily speaking or writing, this can help you express a quick and brief action and softer the tone.
What is the sentence structure of reduplication with 一 (yī)?
So, using this kind of structure has a similar function to the AA pattern.
It can lighten the mood and seriousness of the question.
It also adds variety to sentence structure.
So trying to use this structure can make your expression more flexible.
So, the sentence structure is: Verb + “一” +Verb
Example:
我想闻一闻这朵花。| wǒ xiǎng wén yī wén zhè duǒ huā | I want to smell this flower.
Can all verbs be used for the reduplication in Chinese?
No, not all verbs can be repeated.
Only most action verbs and a few psych verbs can be repeated.
There is no set rule to which verbs can be reduplicated.
With practice and exposure, you will learn which ones are often used.
What is the sentence structure of AA pattern in Chinese?
The sentence structure is: Subject + Verb + Verb
Example:
周末我们一起去公园走走吧! | zhōu mò wǒ men yī qǐ qù gōng yuán zǒu zǒu ba | Let’s go for a walk in the park this weekend!
What is the sentences structure of ABAB pattern in Chinese?
In the cases before, we double the one syllable verbs, and thus turn into a AA structure.
Occasionally, though, two-syllable verbs get reduplicated as well.
This is called the ABAB pattern.
The sentence structure is: Subject + ABAB verbs + Object
Example:
请让我仔细考虑考虑。| qǐng ràng wǒ zǎi xì kǎo lǜ kǎo lǜ | Please let me think about it carefully.