形容词重叠 xíngróngcí chóngdié

形容词重叠（xíngróngcí chóngdié）means “Reduplicating an adjective makes a description more vivid and emphatic.”. A monosyllabic adjective reduplicates as AA (慢慢), often with 的 or 地; a disyllabic one as AABB (干干净净, 高高兴兴). Formation: AA(的/地) / AABB

Reduplicating an adjective makes a description more vivid and emphatic.

HSK4

Formation

AA(的/地) / AABB

Explanation

A monosyllabic adjective reduplicates as AA (慢慢), often with 的 or 地; a disyllabic one as AABB (干干净净, 高高兴兴). The reduplicated adjective paints a fuller, more emotional picture and cannot usually be modified by 很. As an adverbial it often takes 地 (慢慢地走).

Examples

房间打扫得干干净净。
fángjiān dǎsǎo de gāngānjìngjìng.
The room has been cleaned spotlessly.
她高高兴兴地回家了。
tā gāogāoxìngxìng de huí jiā le.
She went home happily.

Note

AABB keeps full tones in citation (gāngānjìngjìng); the 2nd syllable may weaken in casual speech. Don't add 很 before a reduplicated adjective.

FAQ

形容词重叠 — what does it mean and how is it used?

Reduplicating an adjective makes a description more vivid and emphatic.. A monosyllabic adjective reduplicates as AA (慢慢), often with 的 or 地; a disyllabic one as AABB (干干净净, 高高兴兴). The reduplicated adjective paints a fuller, more emotional picture and cannot usually be modified by 很. As an adverbial it often takes 地 (慢慢地走).

形容词重叠 — how do you form it?

AA(的/地) / AABB

形容词重叠 — any usage notes?

AABB keeps full tones in citation (gāngānjìngjìng); the 2nd syllable may weaken in casual speech. Don't add 很 before a reduplicated adjective.

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