<blockquote>
<p>等他回来的时候问问他 // <em>We can check with him when he's back.</em></p>
<p>等他回来的时候问他 // <em>Ask him when he's back.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>问问他: <em>ask him to see if he knows</em></p>
<p>问他: <em>ask him</em></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-24T23:57:18.473Z
2019-12-25T01:03:57.133Z
2020-06-17T09:50:11.587Z
dan
<p>From my answer to this question: "<a href="https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/31120/what-is-the-purpose-of-verb-reduplication">What is the purpose of verb reduplication?</a>":</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>phrases like 笑笑，看看，走走 or 吃吃 are verb reduplication, it serves to indicate the verb is in a <strong>slight degree</strong> or a <strong>casual manner</em></strong> </p>
</blockquote>

<p>The fundamental meaning of the sentence is not change by the verb reduplication, but the tone of the sentence is changed by it:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>等他回来的时候问他。- "ask him when he comes back" (level or blunt tone; in a assertive, commanding or requesting manner)</p></li>
<li><p>等他回来的时候问问他。-  "ask him when he comes back" (softer tone, less assertive, commanding or requesting)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Reduplicate the verb 问 here is like adding filler word like "try" or "let's" in  English sentences to make them sound less assertive. e.g. "(<em>try</em>) ask him when he comes back" ; " (<em>let's</em>) ask him when he comes back "</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-24T22:17:02.607Z
2019-12-25T00:31:45.337Z
2019-12-25T00:31:45.337Z
Tang Ho
<p>What’s the difference? I saw this sentence and was confused why there’s two 问s：</p>

<p>等他回来的时候问问他。</p>

<translation><word-choice>
Difference between 问问 and 问
# Difference between 问问 and 问

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-12-24)

What’s the difference? I saw this sentence and was confused why there’s two 问s：

等他回来的时候问问他。

**Tags:** translation, word-choice


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-12-24. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

From my answer to this question: "[What is the purpose of verb reduplication?](https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/31120/what-is-the-purpose-of-verb-reduplication)":

> *phrases like 笑笑，看看，走走 or 吃吃 are verb reduplication, it serves to indicate the verb is in a **slight degree** or a **casual manner***

The fundamental meaning of the sentence is not change by the verb reduplication, but the tone of the sentence is changed by it:

* 等他回来的时候问他。- "ask him when he comes back" (level or blunt tone; in a assertive, commanding or requesting manner)
* 等他回来的时候问问他。- "ask him when he comes back" (softer tone, less assertive, commanding or requesting)

Reduplicate the verb 问 here is like adding filler word like "try" or "let's" in English sentences to make them sound less assertive. e.g. "(*try*) ask him when he comes back" ; " (*let's*) ask him when he comes back "


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### Answer by username_1 on 2019-12-24. Score: 2

> 等他回来的时候问问他 // *We can check with him when he's back.*
>
> 等他回来的时候问他 // *Ask him when he's back.*

问问他: *ask him to see if he knows*

问他: *ask him*


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