动词 + 的 + 动词，动词 + 的 + 动词
some did this, others that; (a group) all went their separate ways
Structure
（一群人） 动词1 的 动词1 ， 动词2 的 动词2
What it means
Splits a whole group into parts by what happened to each, “some did this, others that”, often with a sense of loss or dispersal: 死的死，伤的伤.
How it is built
（Group）+ V1 的 V1，V2 的 V2: 当年的同学出国的出国，经商的经商 (some of the old class went abroad, others into business). Each half means “those who V, V'd”.
When to use it
Narrative and spoken in flavour; the group is named before it or clear from context (走的走，散的散; 老的老，小的小). Compare 有的…，有的…, which lists neutrally without a whole breaking up.
Watch out
Say each verb twice and keep both 的: ✗死的，散的 ✗死死散散 ✓死的死，散的散.
Examples
宋江接受招安后带着兄弟们去打方腊，结果死的死，散的散。
Song Jiang accepted the amnesty and led his brothers against Fang La; most of them were killed and the rest scattered.
一场大地震过后，村里的房子倒的倒，塌的塌，几乎没有一间是完好的。
After the great earthquake the village houses had toppled or caved in; hardly one was left standing.
毕业二十年，当年的同学出国的出国，经商的经商，很难再聚齐了。
Twenty years after graduation, some of the old class have gone abroad and others into business, and it is hard to get everyone together again.
Learn this in Lesson 250 · HSK 9+: 梁山好汉的绰号 (The nicknames of the Water Margin heroes)
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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