左 A 右 A
to do something over and over, every which way
Structure
左 单音节动词 右 同一个动词
What it means
To do something over and over, trying every way: 左等右等 (wait and wait), 左劝右劝 (keep urging). It stresses how long or hard someone kept at it.
How it is built
左 + one-syllable verb + 右 + the same verb, then the outcome: 我左等右等，他还是没来 (I waited and waited, and still he didn’t come). Fixed forms with two verbs: 左思右想, 左顾右盼.
When to use it
Lively and fairly colloquial. What follows is a hard-won result (终于, 才) or a disappointment (还是, 就是…不／没). With nouns the frame gives 左邻右舍 (neighbours all round). Compare 东A西A: 东找西找.
Watch out
Use a one-syllable verb: ✗左劝说右劝说 ✓左劝右劝. Keep the person outside the pattern: 对他左劝右劝 sounds better than 左劝他右劝他.
Examples
居委会主任左劝右劝，刘大爷终于松口了。
The committee’s head kept on at Mr Liu until he finally gave way.
我左等右等，他还是没来。
I waited and waited, and still he didn’t come.
她在商场里左挑右挑，最后还是买了第一眼看中的那件。
She looked at one thing after another in the shopping centre and in the end bought the one she had liked at first sight.
Learn this in Lesson 129 · HSK 7–9: 老小区加装电梯 (Putting lifts into old blocks)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
Open the lesson →