Verb reduplication (1)

Verbs denoting an action that can be repeated or continued may be used in a reduplicated form.

Reduplicating a verb usually conveys: that the action lasts a short while; that it is done just a little; or the sense of giving it a try.

The form gives the sentence a light, easy, softened tone and belongs mostly to spoken Chinese.

The forms

1. One-syllable verbs

A（一）A verb + (一) + verb

For example: 想一想 — have a think

2. Two-syllable verbs

ABAB

For example: 休息休息 — take a bit of a rest

3. Separable verbs

AAB

For example: 帮帮忙 — lend a hand

那(Nà)你(nǐ)再(zài)想(xiǎng)一(yì)想(xiǎng)，你(nǐ)想(xiǎng)好(hǎo)了(le)，我(wǒ)来(lái)买(mǎi)票(piào)。

Then have another think. Once you've decided, I'll buy the tickets.

想 + 一 + 想 think + one + think

那(nà)then

再(zài)again

想(xiǎng)一(yì)想(xiǎng)have a think

想(xiǎng)好(hǎo)了(le)have made up one's mind

我(wǒ)来(lái)买(mǎi)票(piào)I'll buy the tickets

Here 想一想 means a short think, not a long deliberation.

我(Wǒ)有(yǒu)点儿(diǎnr)累(lèi)，现(xiàn)在(zài)想(xiǎng)休(xiū)息(xi)休(xiū)息(xi)。

I'm a little tired; I'd like to take a bit of a rest now.

休息 + 休息 rest + rest

我(wǒ)有(yǒu)点儿(diǎnr)累(lèi)I'm a little tired

现(xiàn)在(zài)now

想(xiǎng)want

休(xiū)息(xi)休(xiū)息(xi)take a bit of a rest

Here 休息休息 shows that the rest will be brief.

你(Nǐ)能(néng)过(guò)来(lái)帮(bāng)帮(bang)忙(máng)吗(ma)？

Could you come over and lend a hand?

帮 + 帮 + 忙 help + repeat + help

你(nǐ)能(néng)can you

过(guò)来(lái)come over

帮(bāng)帮(bang)忙(máng)lend a hand

吗(ma)question particle

Here 帮忙 is a separable verb, so its reduplicated form is 帮帮忙.

Reduplicating a verb usually makes the action lighter, shorter or tentative.

One-syllable verb — A（一）A: 想一想 — have a think Two-syllable verb — ABAB: 休息休息 — take a bit of a rest Separable verb — AAB: 帮帮忙 — lend a hand