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The 重动句: Repeating a Verb After Its Object
The 重动句 pattern lets you keep a verb–object expression together and then add information about the action by repeating the verb before a complement.
她唱歌唱得很好听。
得 introduces the description of how she sings.
× 她唱歌唱很好听。
For the intended quality-complement construction, 得 is missing. Say 她唱歌唱得很好听.
Corrected example: 她唱歌唱得很好听。
Read the full explanation and examples
1. Recognize the pattern
The outline names this special sentence type 重动句 and gives the pattern subject + verb + object + verb + complement. The verb appears twice: first as part of a verb–object expression, then again before information about the action. The outline establishes the scope and level for this lesson; it does not establish which examination version is currently administered at every test centre.
For example, in 唱歌 (sing a song), 唱 and 歌 form the verb–object expression. If you want to say how the singing sounds, repeat 唱 and attach a complement: 唱歌唱得很好听. The first verb belongs with the object; the second introduces what you want to say about the action.
2. Describe how an action is done
A common complement pattern uses 得 before a description of manner or quality. The description applies to the action, not directly to the object. This is useful when the verb–object expression comes first and you then evaluate how someone performs it.
她唱歌唱得很好听。
得 introduces the description of how she sings.
他每天跑步跑得很快。
很快 describes how he runs.
妹妹做饭做得很认真。
很认真 describes how she cooks.
3. Add duration or another complement
A complement can also give an amount of time. In the sleep example, 八个小时 says how long the sleeping lasted. The repeated verb 睡 introduces that duration after 睡觉. A time expression such as 昨天 can appear before the verb–object expression to set the scene.
我昨天睡觉睡了八个小时。
八个小时 gives the duration of the sleeping.
- Use the pattern when you need to keep a verb–object expression, then add information about the action itself.
- Use 得 plus a description to say how an action is done.
- Use a duration phrase when you need to say how long the action lasted.
4. Form it and avoid a common error
- Start with a subject and the verb–object expression: subject + verb + object.
- Repeat the verb after the object.
- Add the complement after the second verb; use 得 before a description of manner or quality.
- Include other useful details, such as a time expression, where they fit naturally.
A plain sentence such as 她唱歌 says that she sings. It does not, by itself, describe how she sings. The repeated-verb version adds that evaluation. The pattern is therefore useful when you have a complement to attach to the action; avoid repeating a verb without a reason to add such information.
× 她唱歌唱很好听。
For the intended quality-complement construction, 得 is missing. Say 她唱歌唱得很好听.
Corrected example: 她唱歌唱得很好听。
5. Questions and a quick check
To ask about manner, keep the construction and replace the description with 怎么样, for example: 她唱歌唱得怎么样？ This asks how her singing is. A duration question can ask 多长时间 after the repeated verb: 你昨天睡觉睡了多长时间？ These are practical question forms built from the pattern; the outline row itself lists the basic statement pattern, not a separate inventory of question forms.
- Find the verb–object expression.
- Check that the verb is repeated after its object.
- Identify what the complement says about the action: its quality, manner, or duration.
- For a quality description, check whether 得 is needed before the complement.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the verb appear twice?
The first verb forms a verb–object expression. The second verb allows you to attach a complement that describes the action.
Should I repeat the verb every time I use a verb–object expression?
No. A simple verb–object sentence needs no repetition. Even when adding a complement, other orders can fit: 这首歌她唱得很好听 puts the song first, while 我睡了八个小时 omits the object 觉. Repeat the verb when choosing the specific verb–object–verb–complement construction taught here.
When do I use 得?
Use 得 before a description of manner or quality, as in 唱得很好听. A duration complement such as 八个小时 follows the repeated verb without 得 in the example here.
