离合词重叠

líhécí chóngdié

Meaning

Some separable verbs (离合词) reduplicate in an AAB pattern. It usually conveys: — an action lasting a short while; — giving something a try; — doing something casually.

Basic structure

AAB 散步 → 散散步, 帮忙 → 帮帮忙, 睡觉 → 睡睡觉, 游泳 → 游游泳

Examples

咱(Zán)们(men)午(wǔ)饭(fàn)后(hòu)就(jiù)去(qù)附(fù)近(jìn)的(de)公(gōng)园(yuán)散(sàn)散(san)步(bù)吧(ba)。

Let's go for a short walk in the nearby park after lunch.

行(Xíng)李(li)箱(xiāng)怎(zěn)么(me)这(zhè)么(me)重(zhòng)啊(a)！你(Nǐ)快(kuài)来(lái)帮(bāng)帮(bang)我(wǒ)的(de)忙(máng)。

Why is this suitcase so heavy! Come and give me a hand.

周(Zhōu)末(mò)马(Mǎ)克(kè)一(yī)般(bān)在(zài)宿(sù)舍(shè)看(kàn)看(kan)书(shū)、听(tīng)听(ting)音(yīn)乐(yuè)、睡(shuì)睡(shui)觉(jiào)。

At weekends Mark usually reads a bit, listens to some music and gets some sleep in the dorm.

Common separable verbs

散步 → 散散步 — take a short walk 帮忙 → 帮帮忙 — give a hand 睡觉 → 睡睡觉 — get some sleep 游泳 → 游游泳 — go for a swim 聊天 → 聊聊天 — have a little chat 见面 → 见见面 — meet briefly

How ordinary verbs differ

这(Zhè)个(ge)问(wèn)题(tí)你(nǐ)再(zài)想(xiǎng)想(xiang)。

Give this question a bit more thought.

Ordinary one-syllable verbs reduplicate as AA: 看看, 听听, 想想. Separable verbs go AAB: 散散步, 帮帮忙 (散步散步 ❌).

离合词	一般动词
AAB pattern	AA pattern
散步 → 散散步	看 → 看看
帮忙 → 帮帮忙	想 → 想想
The verb splits; the first half repeats	The whole verb repeats

Remember: Separable verbs reduplicate as AAB. It marks a short spell, a try, or a casual action. Ordinary verbs reduplicate as AA.