Reduplication of number + measure word: 数量重叠

In Chinese a number + measure word combination can be reduplicated.

The reduplicated form usually works as an adverbial and shows the manner in which the action is carried out.

It makes the sentence more precise and more vivid.

Basic Structure

Number + measure word + number + measure word + (地) + Verb

Depending on the context, the meaning can be:

one by one day by day two at a time

我(Wǒ)得(děi)一(yì)点儿(diǎnr)一(yì)点儿(diǎnr)给(gěi)您(nín)讲(jiǎng)。

I'll have to explain it to you bit by bit.

Structure

一点儿 + 一点儿 + 给您讲 a little + a little + explain to you 我得 — I have to 一点儿一点儿 — bit by bit 给您讲 — explain it to you

Here 一点儿一点儿 shows the action being done gradually, in small parts.

学(Xué)生(sheng)们(men)的(de)汉(Hàn)语(yǔ)水(shuǐ)平(píng)一(yì)天(tiān)一(yì)天(tiān)地(de)提(tí)高(gāo)了(le)。

The students' Chinese improved day by day.

Structure

一天 + 一天 + 地 + 提高 one day + one day + 地 + to improve 学生们的汉语水平 — the students' level of Chinese 一天一天地 — day by day 提高了 — improved

Here 一天一天地 shows the change going on gradually as time passes.

他(Tā)们(men)两(liǎng)个(ge)两(liǎng)个(ge)地(de)走(zǒu)进(jìn)去(qu)了(le)。

They went in two at a time.

Structure

两个 + 两个 + 地 + 走进去 two + two + 地 + to walk in 他们 — they 两个两个地 — two at a time 走进去了 — walked in

Here 两个两个地 shows the people going in in pairs.

Number + measure word + number + measure word + (地) + Verb

Meaning: the reduplicated number + measure word shows the manner in which the action is done.

Examples:

一(yì)点儿(diǎnr)一(yì)点儿(diǎnr)

bit by bit

一(yì)天(tiān)一(yì)天(tiān)地(de)

day by day

两(liǎng)个(ge)两(liǎng)个(ge)地(de)

two at a time