Definition
白白 is the reduplicated form of the adverb 白 (HSK5, 'in vain'). It adds emphasis and a stronger sense of regret or waste — more forceful than the single 白. Unlike 无效 (HSK5, 'invalid, ineffective'), which is formal and used for legal/technical failure, 白白 focuses on effort or time being wasted.
adverb
in vainfor nothingto no purpose
Examples
- ，白白，。Tā xīnkǔ bái bái gàn le sān tiān, jiéguǒ lǎobǎn bú fù qián.He worked hard for three days in vain, and in the end the boss didn't pay.
- 白白，。Bié bái bái dānxīn le, shìqing yǐjīng jiějué le.Don't worry for nothing — the matter has been resolved.
- ，白白。Rúguǒ xiànzài fàngqì, zhīqián de nǔlì jiù bái bái làngfèi le.If you give up now, all your previous effort will be wasted for nothing.
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