<p>Your question: Is there a name for identically spaced 2-character words separated by 1-character particles, prepositions, etc.?</p>
<p>For example:</p>
<p>(1) 他放下灯，绝望<strong>地</strong>凝视<strong>着</strong>眼前<strong>的</strong>茫茫黑暗。</p>
<p>(2) 所有<strong>的</strong>同学在红色<strong>的</strong>本子<strong>里</strong>仔细<strong>地</strong>抄写<strong>着</strong>今天<strong>的</strong>汉字。</p>
<p>My answer:</p>
<p>Those kinds of 修辞 (Stylistic Devices) are just the <strong>normal and standard</strong> modern Chinese writing methods (白话文). Because it is common, it does not have a specific name. But for those who are so-called &quot;国学大师&quot;, they may call this style of writing “洋腔洋调”，“啰哩啰唆”. Because most of the 白话文的修辞 are simulations of western languages，and use more words than Classical Chinese writing forms (文言文).</p>
<p>Just as @r13 said, modern Chinese uses a lot of Auxiliary Words that modify nouns and verbs to adjectives and adverbs. Most of the nouns and verbs in Chinese languages are 2-characters words and the auxiliary words are 1-character words.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-05-28T21:32:37.080Z
2024-05-28T22:15:54.927Z
2024-05-28T22:15:54.927Z
PdotWang
<p>One way to talk about it could be in terms of 抑扬, which refers to the rise and fall of stressed and unstressed syllables.</p>
<p>What you describe would be an example of &quot;扬扬抑格&quot; (an &quot;antibacchius&quot;, in English), where the 音步 (or prosodic foot) goes 扬扬抑 (or strong-strong-weak). It's a rare and awkward pattern in English poetry - which might explain your antipathy.</p>
<p>In most contexts, it will probably be enough to explain that the 抑扬顿挫 (cadence, rhythm) of the sentence is 不太顺耳, or something to that effect.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-05-27T09:51:44.353Z
2024-05-27T09:51:44.353Z
Sanchuan
<blockquote>
<p>It sounds awful to me.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I don't quite understand your trouble with the type of words with or without <strong>地/着/的</strong>, which are functioning words that the general grammar rules can explain. See the comparisons and the additional info below:</p>
<ul>
<li><p><strong>绝望地</strong>(desperately/hopelessly)<strong>凝视着</strong>(stare at)眼前的茫茫黑暗(darkness in front of the eye)</p>
</li>
<li><p><strong>绝望</strong>(desperation/hopeless)<strong>凝视</strong>(stare/gaze)眼前的茫茫黑暗(darkness in front of the eye)</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Similarly,</p>
<ul>
<li><p><strong>所有的</strong>同学(All of the students)在(at)<strong>红色的</strong>本子里(inside of the red notepad)<strong>仔细地</strong>(carefully/attentively)<strong>抄写着</strong>(copy down)<strong>今天的</strong>(today's)汉字(Chinese letters)</p>
</li>
<li><p><strong>所有</strong>(All)同学(students)<strong>红色本子</strong>(red notepad)<strong>仔细</strong>(careful/attentive)<strong>抄写</strong>(to copy)今天(today)汉字(Chinese letters)</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Additional Info:</strong> <a href="https://blog2.huayuworld.org/acsseus/wp-content/uploads/sites/4912/2019/07/%E7%8F%BE%E4%BB%A3%E4%B8%AD%E6%96%87%E8%AA%9E%E6%B3%95%E8%88%87%E6%95%99%E5%AD%B8Lifen2019.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ref: 中文語法知識</a></p>
<p>（<strong>七）助詞</strong></p>
<p>• 漢語助詞是由一些功能很不相同的虛詞組成，是封閉的一類，數量不多。</p>
<p>• 傳統研究多半偏重於語氣助詞，如「之乎者也焉」。</p>
<p>• 現代中文可在詞、短語或句子之後，起輔助作用的詞；或在句首，做為語氣詞。</p>
<p>根據它們在句法中的不同屬性，可以分為下面六小類：</p>
<ul>
<li><p>(1)時貌助詞 (Aspectual particles)：了1、<strong>著</strong>、過1 。</p>
</li>
<li><p>(2)結構助詞 (Structural particles)：<strong>的</strong>、<strong>地</strong>、得、把、被、將、遭。</p>
</li>
<li><p>(3)動助詞 (Verb particles)：上、下、起、開、掉、走、住、到、出。</p>
</li>
<li><p>(4)時相助詞 (Phase particles)：完、好、過2、起來、下去。</p>
</li>
<li><p>(5)感嘆助詞 (Interjections)：喂、咦、哦、唉、哎。</p>
</li>
<li><p>(6)句尾助詞 (Sentential particles)：啊、嗎、吧、呢、啦、了2。</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>時態助詞 / 動態助詞</strong></p>
<p>• 出現在動詞後面，表示行為動作的時間狀態。</p>
<ul>
<li><p>(1)改變貌－了1。 了2 (句末，動作、行為或事件的實現)</p>
</li>
<li><p>(2)<strong>持續貌－著</strong></p>
</li>
<li><p>(3)經驗貌－過</p>
</li>
<li><p>(4)<strong>進行貌－在</strong></p>
</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-05-28T08:30:01.340Z
The question asks for the name of this specific type of prose, so an answer should say something like "this specific type of prose is called [name]".  If you're not familiar with prose, [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRkCNKjImrc)'s an interesting YouTube video about English prose.  To make their writing more vivid and readable, writers often try to improve their prose; I've been trying to improve my Chinese prose recently.
Becky 李蓓
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-05-28T13:57:57.487Z
@Becky李蓓 散文(prose)是一種文體. 基本上凡是自由表達, 既不壓韻又不講究對称的舒情作品皆屬於散文的范籌. 我認為妳的問題趨向於"語句結構"(sentence structure)而非文體. 中國近代散文深受西方影響, 如妳知道此類語句的英文名称, 翻译後那應該就是答案了.  :)
r13
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-05-28T14:11:16.983Z
@Becky李蓓 Her is a good reading about "散文", I hope you find it helpful. https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%95%A3%E6%96%87/104524
r13
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-05-27T14:46:48.193Z
2024-05-28T16:42:09.903Z
2024-05-28T16:42:09.903Z
r13
<p>The HSK6 Standard Course textbook (下册, p.52) contains:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>他放下灯，<strong>绝望</strong>地<strong>凝视</strong>着<strong>眼前</strong>的茫茫黑暗，……</p>
</blockquote>
<p>wherein there's a sequence of identically spaced 2-character words separated by 1-character particles.  If you read it aloud, there's a mechanical, repetitive rhythm (绝望地 [pause] 凝视着 [pause] 眼前的 [pause] ...), which I fund unappealing.</p>
<p>Taking it to an extreme, we might write:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>所有</strong>的<strong>同学</strong>在<strong>红色</strong>的<strong>本子</strong>里<strong>仔细</strong>地<strong>抄写</strong>着<strong>今天</strong>的<strong>汉字</strong>。</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It sounds awful to me.  I'm wondering if there's a name for this prose.</p>
<p><strong>Question</strong>: Is there a name for identically spaced 2-character words separated by 1-character particles, prepositions, etc.?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-05-27T02:17:00.963Z
所有(的)同学在红色(的)本子上仔细地抄写着今天的汉字。 Omitting  two redundant   的 makes it easier to read
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-05-27T02:28:18.087Z
I would call "所有的同学在红色的本子里仔细地抄写着今天的汉字。" a "clumsily structured sentence"
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-05-27T02:58:52.557Z
Well, that's the idea; it's a random example of specific type of clunky prose.  I want to know what this clunky prose is called, so when I encounter it I can say "this is an example of [...]", without spending the next few minutes defining the concept.
Becky 李蓓
<terminology><style>
Is there a name for identically spaced 2-character words separated by 1-character particles, prepositions, etc.?
# Is there a name for identically spaced 2-character words separated by 1-character particles, prepositions, etc.?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-05-27)

The HSK6 Standard Course textbook (下册, p.52) contains:

> 他放下灯，**绝望**地**凝视**着**眼前**的茫茫黑暗，……

wherein there's a sequence of identically spaced 2-character words separated by 1-character particles. If you read it aloud, there's a mechanical, repetitive rhythm (绝望地 [pause] 凝视着 [pause] 眼前的 [pause] ...), which I fund unappealing.

Taking it to an extreme, we might write:

> **所有**的**同学**在**红色**的**本子**里**仔细**地**抄写**着**今天**的**汉字**。

It sounds awful to me. I'm wondering if there's a name for this prose.

**Question**: Is there a name for identically spaced 2-character words separated by 1-character particles, prepositions, etc.?

**Tags:** terminology, style

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: 所有(的)同学在红色(的)本子上仔细地抄写着今天的汉字。 Omitting  two redundant   的 makes it easier to read  
> **username_1**: I would call "所有的同学在红色的本子里仔细地抄写着今天的汉字。" a "clumsily structured sentence"  
> **username_0**: Well, that's the idea; it's a random example of specific type of clunky prose.  I want to know what this clunky prose is called, so when I encounter it I can say "this is an example of [...]", without spending the next few minutes defining the concept.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2024-05-28. Score: 3

Your question: Is there a name for identically spaced 2-character words separated by 1-character particles, prepositions, etc.?

For example:

(1) 他放下灯，绝望**地**凝视**着**眼前**的**茫茫黑暗。

(2) 所有**的**同学在红色**的**本子**里**仔细**地**抄写**着**今天**的**汉字。

My answer:

Those kinds of 修辞 (Stylistic Devices) are just the **normal and standard** modern Chinese writing methods (白话文). Because it is common, it does not have a specific name. But for those who are so-called "国学大师", they may call this style of writing “洋腔洋调”，“啰哩啰唆”. Because most of the 白话文的修辞 are simulations of western languages，and use more words than Classical Chinese writing forms (文言文).

Just as @username_4 said, modern Chinese uses a lot of Auxiliary Words that modify nouns and verbs to adjectives and adverbs. Most of the nouns and verbs in Chinese languages are 2-characters words and the auxiliary words are 1-character words.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2024-05-27. Score: 1

One way to talk about it could be in terms of 抑扬, which refers to the rise and fall of stressed and unstressed syllables.

What you describe would be an example of "扬扬抑格" (an "antibacchius", in English), where the 音步 (or prosodic foot) goes 扬扬抑 (or strong-strong-weak). It's a rare and awkward pattern in English poetry - which might explain your antipathy.

In most contexts, it will probably be enough to explain that the 抑扬顿挫 (cadence, rhythm) of the sentence is 不太顺耳, or something to that effect.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2024-05-27. Score: 1

> It sounds awful to me.

I don't quite understand your trouble with the type of words with or without **地/着/的**, which are functioning words that the general grammar rules can explain. See the comparisons and the additional info below:

* **绝望地**(desperately/hopelessly)**凝视着**(stare at)眼前的茫茫黑暗(darkness in front of the eye)
* **绝望**(desperation/hopeless)**凝视**(stare/gaze)眼前的茫茫黑暗(darkness in front of the eye)

Similarly,

* **所有的**同学(All of the students)在(at)**红色的**本子里(inside of the red notepad)**仔细地**(carefully/attentively)**抄写着**(copy down)**今天的**(today's)汉字(Chinese letters)
* **所有**(All)同学(students)**红色本子**(red notepad)**仔细**(careful/attentive)**抄写**(to copy)今天(today)汉字(Chinese letters)

**Additional Info:** [Ref: 中文語法知識](https://blog2.huayuworld.org/acsseus/wp-content/uploads/sites/4912/2019/07/%E7%8F%BE%E4%BB%A3%E4%B8%AD%E6%96%87%E8%AA%9E%E6%B3%95%E8%88%87%E6%95%99%E5%AD%B8Lifen2019.pdf)

（**七）助詞**

• 漢語助詞是由一些功能很不相同的虛詞組成，是封閉的一類，數量不多。

• 傳統研究多半偏重於語氣助詞，如「之乎者也焉」。

• 現代中文可在詞、短語或句子之後，起輔助作用的詞；或在句首，做為語氣詞。

根據它們在句法中的不同屬性，可以分為下面六小類：

* (1)時貌助詞 (Aspectual particles)：了1、**著**、過1 。
* (2)結構助詞 (Structural particles)：**的**、**地**、得、把、被、將、遭。
* (3)動助詞 (Verb particles)：上、下、起、開、掉、走、住、到、出。
* (4)時相助詞 (Phase particles)：完、好、過2、起來、下去。
* (5)感嘆助詞 (Interjections)：喂、咦、哦、唉、哎。
* (6)句尾助詞 (Sentential particles)：啊、嗎、吧、呢、啦、了2。

**時態助詞 / 動態助詞**

• 出現在動詞後面，表示行為動作的時間狀態。

* (1)改變貌－了1。 了2 (句末，動作、行為或事件的實現)
* (2)**持續貌－著**
* (3)經驗貌－過
* (4)**進行貌－在**

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: The question asks for the name of this specific type of prose, so an answer should say something like "this specific type of prose is called [name]".  If you're not familiar with prose, [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRkCNKjImrc)'s an interesting YouTube video about English prose.  To make their writing more vivid and readable, writers often try to improve their prose; I've been trying to improve my Chinese prose recently.  
> **username_4**: @username_0 散文(prose)是一種文體. 基本上凡是自由表達, 既不壓韻又不講究對称的舒情作品皆屬於散文的范籌. 我認為妳的問題趨向於"語句結構"(sentence structure)而非文體. 中國近代散文深受西方影響, 如妳知道此類語句的英文名称, 翻译後那應該就是答案了.  :)  
> **username_4**: @username_0 Her is a good reading about "散文", I hope you find it helpful. https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%95%A3%E6%96%87/104524  

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