We repeat a verb to express that we want to do something for a short time, a little or give it a try. It makes the sentence sound more natural, relaxed and friendly. It is especially common in spoken Chinese.
想一想 [xiǎng yi xiǎng] to think a little, for a moment.
1. ONE-CHARACTER VERBS: A → A一A
想一想 [xiǎng yi xiǎng] to think a little
看一看 [kàn yi kàn] to have a look
2. TWO-CHARACTER VERBS: AB → ABAB
休息休息 [xiūxi xiūxi] to rest for a while
学习学习 [xuéxí xuéxí] to study for a little while
3. SEPARABLE VERBS: A + AB → AAB
帮帮忙 [bāng bang máng] to give someone a hand
PAGE 23 EXAMPLES
① 那你再想一想，你想好了，我来买票。
Nà nǐ zài xiǎng yi xiǎng, nǐ xiǎng hǎo le, wǒ lái mǎi piào.
Then think about it a little, when you have decided, I'll buy the tickets.
② 我有点儿累，现在想休息休息。
Wǒ yǒudiǎnr lèi, xiànzài xiǎng xiūxi xiūxi.
I'm a little tired. I want to rest for a while now.
③ 你能过来帮帮忙吗？
Nǐ néng guòlái bāng bang máng ma?
Can you come over and give me a hand?
COMPLETE THE DIALOGUES
① A: 家月，学校里有没有超市？Jiāyuè, xuéxiào lǐ yǒu méiyǒu chāoshì?
Jiayue, is there a supermarket at school?
B: 我也不知道，你去 _______ 老师吧。
Wǒ yě bù zhīdào, nǐ qù _______ lǎoshī ba.
I don't know either. Go and ask the teacher.
② A: 那个人是谁？Nàge rén shì shéi?
Who is that person?
B: 你不认识？那我给你 _______ 。
Nǐ bù rènshi? Nà wǒ gěi nǐ __________ .
You don't know him? Then I'll introduce him to you.
③ A: 他的歌真好听！Tā de gē zhēn hǎotīng!
His songs are really nice!
B: 是吗？让我 _______ 。Shì ma? Ràng wǒ _______ .
Really? Let me have a listen.
Solution / Solución
① A: 家月，学校里有没有超市？Jiāyuè, xuéxiào lǐ yǒu méiyǒu chāoshì?
Jiayue, is there a supermarket at school?
B: 我也不知道，你去问问老师吧。
Wǒ yě bù zhīdào, nǐ qù wènwen lǎoshī ba.
I don't know either. Go and ask the teacher.
② A: 那个人是谁？Nàge rén shì shéi?
Who is that person?
B: 你不认识？那我给你介绍介绍。
Nǐ bù rènshi? Nà wǒ gěi nǐ jièshao jièshao.
You don't know him? Then I'll introduce him to you.
③ A: 他的歌真好听！Tā de gē zhēn hǎotīng!
His songs are really nice!
B: 是吗？让我听听。Shì ma? Ràng wǒ tīngting.
Really? Let me have a listen.