薄薄的 (báo báo de) — (state adjective, reduplicated) very thin; thin (emphatic descriptor)

Definition

Reduplicated form of 薄 (báo, 'thin') that adds emphasis, meaning 'very thin' — gives a vivid, descriptive feel rather than a neutral statement.

adjective
(state adjective, reduplicated) very thinthin (emphatic descriptor)

Examples

  • 薄薄的，。
    Zhè zhāng zhǐ báo báo de de, hěn róng yì pò.
    This piece of paper is very thin and easily torn.
  • 薄薄的。
    Tā chuān zhuó báo báo de de wài tào.
    She was wearing a very thin coat.
  • 薄薄的，。
    Zhè ge shǒu jī ké báo báo de de, shǒu gǎn hěn hǎo.
    This phone case is very thin and feels good in the hand.

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.

薄薄thin
薄báothin薄báothin
的dede

The double 薄 makes thinness vivid, and 的 rounds off the descriptive form.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
艹Written in full as艸cǎo
Sound part声符shēngfú
溥
溥pǔ薄báo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

薄 combines 艹, a grass part, with 溥 as the sound part.

Open 薄 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
艹Written in full as艸cǎo
Sound part声符shēngfú
溥
溥pǔ薄báo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

薄 combines 艹, a grass part, with 溥 as the sound part.

Open 薄 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
白白báiwhite
Sound part声符shēngfú
勺
勺sháo的de
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

的 pairs 白, related to white or brightness, with 勺, which gives a clue to the sound. Its older form 旳 meant bright.

Open 的 →

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