把 + 宾语 + 动词重叠／着／次数
do something to X a little · keep X in a state · do it so many times / for so long
Structure
把 + 宾语 + 动词 + （一） + 动词 · 把 + 宾语 + 动词 + 着 · 把 + 宾语 + 动词 + 次数／时长
What it means
Three more ways to end a 把 sentence besides a result: do something to X a little, keep X in a state, or do it so many times or for so long.
How it is built
把 + object + verb (一) verb: 你把房间收拾收拾吧 (Give your room a bit of a tidy). 把 + object + verb + 着: 把门开着 (leave the door open). 把 + object + verb + times: 把墙刷了三遍.
When to use it
A doubled verb sounds quick and casual, so it suits friendly requests (把窗户擦擦, 把钥匙推一推). 着 is for a state kept up, often in warnings: 别把空调开着. Times or length say how much: 把窗子开了三个月.
Watch out
As in h3-6, the verb can’t stand alone at the end of a 把 sentence: ✗ 你把房间收拾。 ✓ 你把房间收拾收拾。 Something must follow the verb.
Examples
你把房间收拾收拾吧。
Give your room a bit of a tidy.
出门的时候别把空调开着。
Don’t leave the air conditioner on when you go out.
老师把这个问题讲了三遍。
The teacher explained this point three times.
我把这件事想了一个晚上。
I spent the whole evening thinking it over.
Learn this in HSK 4 · Lesson 25: 装修 (Fixing up the flat)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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