elementaryA2 · TOCFL a2aspectgrammar
V 了 V
Pattern
Verb + 了 + verb
Key words
Core idea
V 了 V repeats a verb with 了 between the copies.
It often describes doing something briefly, trying it, or taking a quick look, thought, or test.
Compare with other softening patterns
V 一 V also softens or limits an action. V 了 V can feel more like the brief action actually happened.
Word order note
The object usually comes after the repeated verb unit.
Examples
我看了看菜单。
Wǒ kàn le kàn càidān.
I took a quick look at the menu.
他想了想才回答。
Tā xiǎng le xiǎng cái huídá.
He thought for a bit before answering.
她试了试这件衣服。
Tā shì le shì zhè jiàn yīfu.
She tried this piece of clothing on briefly.
Common mistakes
Avoid
我看菜单了看。
Use
我看了看菜单。
In V 了 V, 了 sits between two copies of the verb.