Reduplication Pattern
Does repeating a form change the meaning?
Ý nghĩa
A pattern where all or part of a word is repeated to express plurality, intensity, repetition, distribution, attenuation, or aspect.
Cách nhận biết
Look for repetition of sounds or words that has a grammatical or meaning effect.
Ví dụ
again-again|little by little|go-go
very small|walk around|bit by bit
They talked and talked for hours.
Visual guide
BASE talk + REPEAT talk and talk = meaning shift long / repeated action or intensity / plurality
PRODUCTIVE ←────→ LEXICAL new words ok fixed only FORM: full repeat: again-again part repeat: piece + base USE: plural | intensity | aspect
Góc nhìn theo ngôn ngữ
Trong ngôn ngữ mẹ đẻ của Bạn
Reduplication is productive in adjectives, adverbs, expressives, plurality-like and nuance-marking patterns.
Cô ấy cười nhẹ nhẹ.
she smile light-light
Trong ngôn ngữ Bạn đang học
English uses reduplication mostly for emphasis, playfulness, informal speech, or word formation, not as a major grammar system.
It's a tiny-tiny problem.
repetition adds emphasis or style
Learners may overuse repetition where English would use very, really, or another intensifier.
Usually lighter in your learning language
Do not over-transfer this pattern from your own language. It is often less explicit in your learning language.