Reduplication is a usually seen word formation method in Chinese language. It is frequently seen in verb. Foreigners who learn Chinese in China should know that the verb reduplication is to repeat the verbs inChinese language. Besides, the reduplicated verbs have the certain meaning, more importantly, the special grammatical meanings.

Firstly, we should know the patterns of verb reduplication. For the monosyllable verb reduplication, the second repeated syllable should be unstressed. Learners who study in China can mark it as “A•A”, in which A stands for monosyllable verb and the syllable after “•” is the unstressed. We often see “看•看” and “想•想”. They can be also “看一看” and “想一想”.

If the tone of the verb is the falling-rising tone, the tone of the first syllable should be read in the rising tone. For instance, “讲•讲 (jiánɡ•jiɑnɡ)”. Learners who study Chinese should know the pattern of the disyllable verb reduplication is “ABAB”. The first and third syllables are stressed and the other unstressed like “讨论讨论(tǎo lun tǎo lun)”.

What’s more, the grammatical meaning of the verb reduplication often emphasized by the teachers in Mandarin leaning courses. The basic one is to indicate duration or time of certain actions is short. If the verb implies the continuous action, the meaning after reduplication is the short duration. For examples, “老四不好意思地笑笑，退回到墙根去了”, “我向窗外看了看，一个人也没有”.

However, if the verb doesn’t indicate the continuous action but the actions that can be done repeatedly, students in Mandarin language courses in China should realize that the action has been repeated implies the infrequent times. Here are some typical examples, “听了我的话，他点了点头，没说话”, “他用力扯了扯我的衣角”.

But not all verbs can be reduplicated. Whether a verb can be repeated or not depend on the nature of the verb. Besides, the verbs can be reduplicated are various because of different language environments and expressive functions. Accordingly, foreign learners should know what kind of verbs can be reduplicated if they want to learn Mandarin better.

In general, the verbs can be reduplicated mainly are the action verbs, especially continuous action verbs and independent action verbs. The words students often see when they go to school to study Mandarin are “看、笑、歇、等、摇、拍、跳、躺、坐”. Those words can be both continuous action verbs and independent action verbs.

There are some verbs usually do not indicate the independent actions. However, when it used in a reduplication form, it expresses a kind of controllable independent actions. The example often taken by teachers in Chinese language school is “不要管我，你让我哭哭吧！”. “哭” is not an independent verb uncontrollable. In this sentence, the word “让” make it an independent verb.

Here is an exception students who learn Chinese language should know. Some of the continuous action verbs and independent action verbs can be reduplicated if they carry the meaning of trying something. The following examples are provided. “你摔摔这个瓶子，看结实不结实”, “杀鸡并不可怕，不信你杀杀试试”.

In addition, some verbs and adjectives expressing psychological state also have the usage of reduplication. We may hear “我们下来凉快凉快吧” and “我就是要你知道知道我的厉害”. When teachers teach Mandarin language, they may tell you that there are many verbs can be reduplicated in oral Chinese but less in written language. Therefore, students can practice more in daily conversation.

All in all, now learners know the patterns of verb reduplication and grammatical meanings. They also know what kind of verbs can be repeated in this way. As long as students practice more in daily life, they can master this point.