Verb reduplication (2)

When the action has already taken place, the reduplicated form is built a little differently.

1. One-syllable verbs

A 了 A verb + 了 + verb

This form shows the action lasted a short while or was done just once.

Two-syllable verbs are usually not reduplicated directly in the past; the form AB 了一下 is used instead.

AB 了一下

A 了 AB

For example: 帮了帮忙 — gave a bit of help

我(Wǒ)看(kàn)了(le)看(kàn)网(wǎng)上(shàng)的(de)介(jiè)绍(shào)。

I had a look at the information online.

看 + 了 + 看 look + 了 + look

我(wǒ)I

看(kàn)了(le)看(kàn)had a look

网(wǎng)上(shàng)的(de)介(jiè)绍(shào)the information online

Here 看 is a one-syllable verb, so the form 看了看 is used.

我(Wǒ)休(xiū)息(xi)了(le)一(yí)下(xià)，现(xiàn)在(zài)觉(jué)得(de)不(bú)累(lèi)了(le)。

I rested for a bit, and now I don't feel tired any more.

休息 + 了一下 rest + for a bit

我(wǒ)I

休(xiū)息(xi)了(le)一(yí)下(xià)rested for a bit

现(xiàn)在(zài)now

觉(jué)得(de)不(bú)累(lèi)了(le)don't feel tired any more

Here 休息 is a two-syllable verb, so the form 休息了一下 is used.

他(Tā)昨(zuó)天(tiān)来(lái)帮(bāng)了(le)帮(bāng)忙(máng)。

He came over yesterday and gave a bit of help.

帮 + 了 + 帮忙 help + 了 + help

他(tā)he

昨(zuó)天(tiān)yesterday

来(lái)come

帮(bāng)了(le)帮(bāng)忙(máng)gave a bit of help

Here 帮忙 is a separable verb, so the form 帮了帮忙 is used.

One-syllable verb — A 了 A: 看了看 — had a look Two-syllable verb — AB 了一下: 休息了一下 — rested for a bit Separable verb — A 了 AB: 帮了帮忙 — gave a bit of help