Reduplication of Measure Words

In Mandarin Chinese, reduplication of measure words involves repeating the measure word to convey emphasis or intensification. This repetition adds emphasis to the quantity or extent of the noun being described.

Usage:

• Emphasis: Reduplication of measure words is often used to emphasize the quantity or extent of the noun.
  • 他买了 两个 苹果。(Tā mǎi le liǎng gè píngguǒ.) - He bought two apples.
  • 他买了 两个个 苹果。(Tā mǎi le liǎng gè gè píngguǒ.) - He bought two whole apples.
• Intensification: It can also intensify the sense of completeness or entirety.
  • 她读完了 一本 书。(Tā dú wán le yī běn shū.) - She finished reading one book.
  • 她读完了 一本本 书。(Tā dú wán le yī běn běn shū.) - She finished reading every single page of the book.

Examples:

• 他买了 三个个 苹果。(Tā mǎi le sān gè gè píngguǒ.) - He bought three whole apples.
• 我看了 两本本 书。(Wǒ kàn le liǎng běn běn shū.) - I read every single page of two books.

Additional Notes:

• Reduplication of measure words is common in informal speech and writing, adding emphasis or intensity to the description.
• It's important to note that not all measure words can be reduplicated, and the appropriateness of reduplication depends on the context.