1. Explain it simply
Repeat a verb (看看, 试试) to soften it - it means 'do a little' or 'have a go'.
For one-syllable verbs you can add 一 in the middle: 看一看, 试一试 (same meaning).
Two-syllable verbs repeat the whole word (ABAB), like 休息休息 - repeat the word, not each single character.
Any object comes after the reduplicated verb: 看看这本书, 尝尝这个菜.
2. Show examples
你看看这本书。
Nǐ kànkan zhè běn shū.
Have a look at this book.
VV + object
我们休息休息吧。
Wǒmen xiūxi xiūxi ba.
Let's rest a bit.
ABAB
你试一试。
Nǐ shì yī shì.
Sandhi:Nǐ shì yi shì.
Give it a try.
V一V
你尝尝这个菜。
Nǐ chángchang zhège cài.
Have a taste of this dish.
softened request
3. Share a tip
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