偷偷摸摸 (tōu tōu mō mō) — furtively, stealthily, on the sly
Definition
Reduplicated AABB adverbial meaning 'sneaky, on the sly' — emphasizes both secrecy and the sneaking manner. Usually appears before a verb with 地 to describe a furtive action or attitude.
bound form
furtivelystealthilyon the sly
Examples
- 偷偷摸摸，。Tā tōu tōu mō mō dì zǒu jìn bàn gōng shì, méi rén fā xiàn.He sneaked into the office, and nobody noticed.
- 偷偷摸摸。Nà liǎng gè xué shēng tōu tōu mō mō dì zài jiào shì hòu miàn shuō huà.Those two students were whispering furtively at the back of the classroom.
- 偷偷摸摸，。Bié zài tōu tōu mō mō dì zuò shì le, guāng míng zhèng dà duō hǎo.Stop doing things on the sly; being open and aboveboard is much better.
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.
The repeated 偷 and 摸 give a stealthy, secretive manner; the whole form means furtive.
Appears in
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