One of the charming features of Chinese is reduplication (repeating, or doubling up) of certain words and characters, including adjectives! Reduplication makes the descriptive feeling of the adjective stronger. == One-Syllable Adjectives (AA) == If an adjective is only one syllable (one character), then reduplicating it is a no-brainer. In most Chinese textbooks and grammar books, this is known as the "AA" pattern. === Structure === Another way of putting that (and we'll be using this form more extensively below) is: Note that this pattern is also identical to [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Reduplication_of_verbs single-syllable reduplication of verbs]. === Examples === == Two-Syllable Adjectives (AABB) == If the adjective has more than one character, then you should repeat each character individually (rather than the whole word). This is known as the "AABB" pattern. === Structure === In the structure below, the original two-character adjective (such as 高兴, 漂亮) is "AB," where the first character of the adjective is represented by "A," and the second by "B." === Examples === Not all two-syllable adjectives are used in AABB form, but here are some common examples of AB adjectives represented in AABB form. Not all adjectives can take AABB form. Here are some examples of common adjectives that don't work in AABB form. == Used as Adverbs (AABB) == When adjectives are used as [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Adverb adverbs] to modify verbs, you can reduplicate the adjective using the AABB pattern. === Structure === === Examples === == Used as Predicates (ABAB) == If you use an [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Adjective adjective] as a [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Predicate predicate], then you're basically using the adjective like a verb, and you reduplicate it [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Reduplication_of_verbs as you would a verb], which means ABAB form. Using an adjective in this way is roughly equivalent to using 一下 after the (non-reduplicated) adjective. === Structure === To use a reduplicated adjective as a predicate, follow this structure: or In the pattern above there's no verb, because when an adjective serves as the predicate, it does the job of a verb. Notice also that there's no 的 after the ABAB, because it's not acting as an adjective. === Examples === '''Note:''' The "AABB" pattern for reduplication of two-syllable adjectives contrasts with the [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Reduplication_of_verbs "ABAB" pattern for reduplication of two-syllable verbs]. == Sources and further reading == === Books === * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Integrated_Chinese:_Level_1,_Part_2_(3rd_ed) Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)] (pp. 53) [http://amzn.to/2femBuy →buy] * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Integrated_Chinese:_Level_2,_Part_2 Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2] (pp. 189-90) [http://amzn.to/2ftpILV →buy] * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Mandarin_Chinese:_A_Functional_Reference_Grammar Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar] (pp. 32-6) [http://amzn.to/2yOtlXc →buy] * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/New_Practical_Chinese_Reader_3_(%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%9E%E7%94%A8%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%BE%E6%9C%AC3) New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)] (pp. 50) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/756191251X/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=756191251X →buy] * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/New_Practical_Chinese_Reader_4_(%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%9E%E7%94%A8%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%BE%E6%9C%AC4) New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4)] (pp. 103-4) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561913192/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561913192 →buy] * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/40_Lessons_for_Basic_Chinese_Course_(%E5%9F%BA%E7%A1%80%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD40%E8%AF%BE%E4%B8%8A%E5%86%8C%EF%BC%89 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册）] (pp. 271-2) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]