Definition
翻来覆去 (fān lái fù qù) is a vivid set phrase meaning literally 'toss and turn (in bed)' or figuratively 'again and again, repeatedly'. Unlike the neutral adverbs 一再 (yī zài) or 再三 (zài sān), it carries a sense of physical or mental back-and-forth motion. It is also more commonly used for physical restlessness and the figurative sense than the sibling 辗转 (zhǎn zhuǎn).
phrase
to toss and turn (in bed, sleepless)again and againrepeatedly (figurative)
Examples
- 翻来覆去，。Tā zuówǎn fān lái fù qù, zěnme yě shuì bù zháo.He tossed and turned last night and couldn't fall asleep.
- 翻来覆去。Zhège wèntí tā fān lái fù qù shuō le hǎo jǐ cì.He said this problem over and over several times.
- 翻来覆去。Tā fān lái fù qù kǎolǜ le hěn jiǔ cái juédìng.She thought it over again and again for a long time before deciding.
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