What is reduplicated word?
In Chinese, reduplicated word is a morphological process that part of the word or the whole word is reduplicated. It serves different functions in different forms.
There are two main types of reduplication - full reduplication, like [A[AB]B], [AB][AB] and partial reduplication, like [AB]B], [A[AB].
| Structure | Function | Input Cat. | Output Cat. | Base | Reduplication |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [A[AB]B] | Increasing | Adj, V, N | Adj, V, N | ||
| [AB][AB] | Diminishing | V | V | ||
| [AB]B] | Increasing | Adj, V, N | Adj, V, N | ||
| [A[AB] | Increasing | Adj | Adj | ||
| Diminishing | V | V |
Full reduplication
[A [AB] B]
Examples:
Kids of this family all look fair and clear.
I've searched the whole world for someone like you.
All the people in the streets, men and women alike, were impeccably attired.
[AB][AB]
- [1]To express "a little bit" or "briefly". It is oral language, and carries a casual tone.
Examples:
明天客人就来了，你再把房间打扫打扫。Our guests will come tomorrow. You may clean the room up a bit.
- [2]To express the seriousness of the problem.
Examples:
我觉得你应该去医院检查检查。I think you should go to hospital to have a health check.
- [3]To make others or oneself feel as if one experiences something in person, when the verbs or adjectives is related to psychological feelings.
Examples:
快把这个好消息告诉你爷爷,让他也高兴高兴。Tell Grandpa the good news to let him experience the same joy.
Partial reduplication
[AB] B]
Examples:
The leaves of the tree are shimmering.
I was criticized without just cause.
The old woman was tottering along.
He rubbed his bare and fat chin.
[A [AB]
- [1]To express a quick action.
Examples:
拍拍手，然后站起来。Clap your hands and stand up.
- [2]To defuse the tension if the tone become mild.
Examples:
我只是说说狠话解解恨，不会真的打他。I just talked tough to vent my hatred and I won't fight against him really.
- [3]To indicate it is a regular action, the tone will not change in degree and is often used in informal occasions.
Examples:
休假的时候，她喜欢弹弹琴，唱唱歌。She likes to play the piano and sing during holidays.
Examples:
The dishes smell delicious.
Onomatopoeic word
Examples:
The dishes and bowls slid together with a clatter.
The bell on the cat’s collar jingled as he walked.
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.
Reduplicated words
Chinese idioms and proverbs
Separable words