顺顺 (shùn shùn) — (verb) to smooth out, to make smooth (colloquial); (verb) to go smoothly, to be favorable (in fixed phrases)

Definition

Reduplicated verb form of 顺, giving a casual, colloquial feel. Used for smoothing hair or calming feelings, and in fixed phrases meaning 'go smoothly'.

verb
to smooth outto make smooth (colloquial)to go smoothlyto be favorable (in fixed phrases)

Examples

  • 顺顺顺顺。
    Tā yòng shǒu shùn shùn le shùn shùn tóu fa.
    She smoothed her hair with her hand.
  • 顺顺。
    Zhè jiàn shì zǒng suàn shùn shùn le.
    This matter finally went smoothly.
  • 顺顺，。
    Nǐ shùn shùn qì, bié zháo jí.
    Calm down, don't worry.

Origin

Reduplicated word
构词法gòucífǎ
重叠chóngdiéReduplication

A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.

顺shùnsmooth
顺shùnsmooth

顺 means smooth or favorable; repeating it gives a light, colloquial sense of smoothing out.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 順; 顺 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yè
Sound part声符shēngfú
川
川chuān順shùn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 順 pairs 川 (river), which gives the sound, with 頁 (head); the picture is a head in a river, following the current. The simplified 顺 is a shorthand.

Open 顺 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 順; 顺 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yè
Sound part声符shēngfú
川
川chuān順shùn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 順 pairs 川 (river), which gives the sound, with 頁 (head); the picture is a head in a river, following the current. The simplified 顺 is a shorthand.

Open 顺 →

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