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长长的 (cháng cháng de) — long (reduplicated form of 长, used as a state word for vivid description)

Definition

Reduplicated 长 for vivid, descriptive effect — 'long and...', often paired with a noun (e.g. 长长的头发). Plain 长 is neutral; the 叠 form (AA 的) sounds more expressive and pictorial.

adjective
long (reduplicated form of 长, used as a state word for vivid description)

Examples

  • 长长的。
    Mén qián yǒu yì tiáo cháng cháng de xiǎo hé.
    There is a long small river in front of the door.
  • 长长的，。
    Tā de tóu fa cháng cháng de, kàn qǐ lái hěn jiàn kāng.
    Her hair is long and looks very healthy.
  • 长长的，。
    Zǒu guò yì tiáo cháng cháng de zǒu láng, jiù dào le jiào shì.
    After walking down a long corridor, you reach the classroom.

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.

长长long
长chánglong长chánglong
重叠Reduplication
的destate ending

长 (long) doubled with 的 makes a vivid state word.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 長; 长 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 長 pictures an old man with long hair. The simplified 长 is a later shorthand, so its strokes do not show that original picture.

Open 长 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 長; 长 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 長 pictures an old man with long hair. The simplified 长 is a later shorthand, so its strokes do not show that original picture.

Open 长 →

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 →
Appears in
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