Adjective reduplication

Chinese adjectives can be used in a reduplicated form.

A one-syllable adjective “A” reduplicates as AA; a two-syllable “AB” usually as AABB.

Reduplication usually intensifies the adjective, or adds a warm, affectionate tone.

1. One-syllable adjectives

A → AA

大 → 大大 — big → nice and big 小 → 小小 — small → tiny little

AB → AABB

漂亮 → 漂漂亮亮 — pretty → all dressed up and lovely

我(Wǒ)再(zài)给(gěi)她(tā)买(mǎi)个(ge)大(dà)大(dà)的(de)生(shēng)日(rì)蛋(dàng)糕(āo)。

And I'll buy her a nice big birthday cake.

大 → 大大 + 的 big → nice and big

我(wǒ)再(zài)给(gěi)她(tā)买(mǎi)I'll also buy her

大(dà)大(dà)的(de)nice and big

生(shēng)日(rì)蛋(dàng)糕(āo)birthday cake

Here 大大 intensifies the adjective.

这(Zhè)只(zhī)猫(māo)小(xiǎo)小(xiǎo)的(de)，真(zhēn)让(ràng)人(rén)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)。

This cat is such a tiny little thing — you can't help liking it.

小 → 小小 + 的 small → tiny little

这(zhè)只(zhī)猫(māo)this cat

小(xiǎo)小(xiǎo)的(de)tiny little

真(zhēn)让(ràng)人(rén)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)you can't help liking it

Here 小小的 conveys not just smallness but fondness.

一(Yì)雪(xuě)的(de)女(nǚ)儿(ér)每(měi)天(tiān)都(dōu)漂(piào)漂(piào)亮(liang)亮(liang)的(de)。

Yixue's daughter looks lovely every single day.

漂亮 → 漂漂亮亮 pretty → looking lovely

一(Yì)雪(xuě)的(de)女(nǚ)儿(ér)Yixue's daughter

每(měi)天(tiān)都(dōu)every single day

漂(piào)漂(piào)亮(liang)亮(liang)的(de)looking lovely

Here 漂亮 is a two-syllable adjective, so it reduplicates as 漂亮 → 漂漂亮亮.

One syllable: A → AA

大 → 大大 — nice and big 小 → 小小 — tiny little

Two syllables: AB → AABB

漂亮 → 漂漂亮亮 — looking lovely

Reduplication either intensifies the quality, or adds warmth and affection to the sentence.