Reduplicating the verb (softening)

Structure AA · A一A (看看 · 看一看)

Repeating the verb (看看, 试试) lightens it: "have a quick look", "give it a try", do something "for a bit". It sounds friendlier and more relaxed than the bare verb, which makes it handy for requests and suggestions. With one-syllable verbs you can insert 一: 看一看, 想一想. The second syllable is said in the neutral tone.

Examples

你nǐ看kàn看kan这zhè个ge。
Take a look at this.
我wǒ想xiǎng试shì试shi。
I’d like to give it a try.
你nǐ想xiǎng一yī想xiǎng再zài回huí答dá。
Think it over a bit, then answer.

This point and the other 370, with audio on every example, inside Wanyu.

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