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

我看了看网上的介绍

我wǒI

看了看kàn le kànhad a look

网上的介绍wǎngshàng de jièshàothe information online

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

我休息了一下，现在觉得不累了

我wǒI

休息了一下xiūxi le yíxiàrested for a bit

现在xiànzàinow

觉得不累了juéde bú lèi ledon't feel tired any more

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

他昨天来帮了帮忙

他tāhe

昨天zuótiānyesterday

来láicome

帮了帮忙bāng le bāng mánggave 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